STUD SHEEP AND FAT LAMBS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25448, 20 March 1948, Page 5

STUD SHEEP AND FAT LAMBS

WOOL-BLIND SOUTHDOWNS CRITICISED FLOCK RAMS MAY DETERIORATE Stud stock breeders had an import - ant responsibility in primary production, said Mr G. H. Grigg (president) at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. “The Romney Marsh sheep breeders hqye done a great job in producing a sheep most suitable for the general conditions in New Zeaalnd, ana other breeders have done their part in producing the sheep required for tneir districts,” he said. “The breed of sheep that has done more than any other to give us such a good name for our high quality lamb on the British market is the Southdown, and our breeders have generally produced the right type for the meat trade. “I am perturbed to-day at the tendency to breed wool-blind Southdowns. This is very detrimental to the fattening qualities of our lambs, especially in Canterbury, where our flocks are Corriedales and halfbreds mostly. “The tendency is to breed shortfaced sheep to get wool on to the head. This will eventually result in a shortbodied sheep, which, will be away from the desirable type for fat lamb getting. The flock Southdowns in the fair to-day were an excellent lot, but too much wool on the heads of studs may put an end to good entries of Southdowns.

“I think this is mainly brought about by the rams which have been imported from Great Britain during the last few years. It seems to be the fashion there to grow wool on the face. The Royal champion in England last year was a completely wool-blind sheep, and yet in the Southdown Breed Society’s definition it says wool on the bridge of the nose is a defect. As the Southdown is a pure mutton breed, I can see no reason for it unless it is that clever showmen can turn what is a poor head to look a good one.

“I hope our Southdown Sheep Breeders’ Society will endeavour to see that the most suitable sheep for our meat trade is produced, and not encourage fashionable points that serve no useful purpose. I lately overheard one Southdown breeder say to another' ‘Are you breeding studs or flocks?’ Where are we going if a different type of sheep is required for showing from that required by the Mt lamb breeder?

“Our judges of stock at shows can make or mar a breed. It will be inimical to our production if our stud stock men don’t breed the type required by our fat lamb breeder.” Mr Grigg said. “I expect that I have, kicked a beehive over here; but I will be satisfied if anything I have said will help towards more clean-faced Southdowns being bred.”