SHEEP

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28742, 13 November 1958, Page 20

SHEEP

The sheep show, which is considered one of the greatest in the world, was well supported and the standard throughout was uniformly high. The judges of the 15 breeds exhibited were outspoken in their praise and commendation for the high standard of presentation and trueness to type.

An outstanding feature of the show was that, in spite of the unfavourable year, there were few signs of its effects. Although show stud sheep are the least likely to be affected in the open classes, and were up to their usual standard, the natural condition sheep were in excellent order and the judges’ comments were that it was surprising to find so few faults. Younger sheep were in particularly good condition. The Merino judging, done out of the pen with the sheep lined up on a mat. was probably hampered by lack of space as the lane was shared with the Corriedale pens opposite, but it proved very popular and there was a constant gallery of watchers. As befits the stronghold of the Corriedale breed, these classes were strongly supported and the four main judges were kept busy until nearly 5 o’clock. Merino The entries were better than he had expected, said the judge. Mr A. F. Weckert <Yacka. South Australia). Although perhaps a little shorter in the body, the wool was. generally speaking, equal to any in Australia. The wool was exceptionally clean and all exhibits were well got up. “I did not see a single poor sheep,” Mr Weckert said. The grand champion Merino ram. which was also champion of the strong combing classes, shown by Miss M. E. Goulter • Blenheim) was considered one of the best the judge had seen and could hold his own anywhere in Australia. A few classes remain to be judged and these will be completed this morning by Mr Weckert. Ryeland Entries were true to type and well brought out although there was a slight tail end. Only in a few cases were there any signs of the unfavourable year and the judge, Mr A. Biggar (Southland), said that the competition had been strong. Ewes with lambs

had done their progeny very well, he said. The champion ram, shown by A. C. Greenwood (Southbridge), was a fine specimen of the breed and well up to Royal Show standards. The champion ewe, shown by the estate T. A. Stephens (Irwell) was outstanding in its merits, the judge said.

Dorset Horn The average sheep shown had improved considerably and was truer to type with breeders having eliminated some of the more pronounced faults, said the judge, Mr Alan Gardner (Scargill). Entries were small for a breed which was fast becoming popular for fat lamb production. The rams had stood up to the unfavourable year well with the prize-winners in very good condition and the younger ewes were also good but some of the ewes with lambs were showing the effects of the dry conditions and their show condition had suffered. Cheviot The breed on the whole had come out well and considering the conditions were in exceptionally good condition, said Mr C. A. Neal (Nelson), who judged the section. The top entries were excellent, and the champion ram, shown by Griffin Bros. (Nelson), was a credit to his owner. “This breed is only in its infancy in Canterbury and it has a definite place.” said Mr Neal. “It fills a definite need where the Romney is unable to cope with conditions. A prolific breeder and very hardy, it produces lambs with lean meat —just what is required today.” Southdown The Southdown section was one of the biggest in the show, and the animals were very well turned out, most appearing in excellent order. The judges (Mr D. Dalziell. Feilding. rams: and Mr John Illston, Marton, ewes) were very pleased with the standard of the sheep shown, although they both declined to make comparisons with those in the North Island. Mr Dalziell said that most of the rams had plenty of size and were well grown. The champion ram was an outstanding animal, with good conformation and bearing. Mr Illston said that the section was probably the biggest in New Zealand now. He was particularly pleased with the number of ewes that were shown with lambs at foot—all of them very good lambs, too. “In the North Island we often have good ewes with under-sized lambs, but here you have good ewes with good lambs,” he said.