TOPICS OF THE DAY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27920, 17 March 1956, Page 7

TOPICS OF THE DAY

STAND ON YOUR OWN FEET

Another chapter in a success story of two young South Canterbury flockmasters was written at the first day of the Christchurch Flock Ram Fair, this week, when Messrs T. G. and R. A. Prattley (Orari) topped the market for all breeds with the sale of two single Southdown flock rams at the high prices of 160 guineas and 100 guineas, respectively. Six years ago. when they were boys of 12 and 10 years, respectively, the two brothers set their hearts on establishing a small stud of Southdowns. In commending their idea, their father counselled them to learn to “stand on their own feet” by raising the necessary funds themselves. So the boys went out grass-seeding and the proceeds enabled them to make a modest start with their flock. Now, aged 18 and 16 years, respectively, they are the proud but modest owners of a select stud of Southdowns, rams from which were so well to the fore on Thursday. Then, too, at the stud ram fair held at Christchurch in February the brothers secured the third best average and four rams from their flock made from 160 guineas to 350 guineas. Early in the year, they purchased the top price Punchbowl Southdown ram at the Invercargill fair for 800 guineas.