Boards, Breeders Plan Romney Flocks Survey

Press, Volume C, Issue 29469, 22 March 1961, Page 14

Boards, Breeders Plan Romney Flocks Survey

(New Zealand Press WELLINGTON, March 21. sis' A detailed veterinary survey is to be made of New Zealand’s Romney Marsh wiflocks. More than 70 per o f cent of New Zealand’s sheep 3 c are Romneys or of predomin- « antly Romney blood. The survey is to be fin- bo ; anced and directed by the thi Romney Marsh Sheep Breed- o f ers’ Association and the Mr Meat and Wool Boards. It rot will cover disease, fertility tor and breeding, nutrition and management of pedigree ev< flocks. ad . In the initial stages, a sui detailed investigation will be an( carried out in the northern n-.a Manawatu and the Wairarapa po, where the main concentra- “ tion of breeding flocks is r 0 found. etr , A veterinary surgeon, with ke« a field assistant, will be yeJ stationed at Feilding im: Later the work may be extended to stud flocks in other O rt areas du] The work will come under do i the direction of the Meat d i r and Wool Boards’ sheep and is beef cattle survey. The policy oui and operation will be deter- tio: mined by a committee con- wo

sisting of two representatives of the Romney breeders and a representaive of each of the boards. The breeders will contribute half the cost of the survey and the boards a quarter each. "We are very pleased that with the co-operation of the boards we are able to launch this survey,” the president of the breeders’ association. Mr J. R. Matthews, of Waiorongomai, Featherston, said tonight "Romney breeders have every confidence in the adaptability of the breed to suit New Zealand conditions and to continue to make the major contribution to our export of mutton and wool.

“The predominance of the Romney today is due to the efforts of a large group of keen breeders over the years We are continuing to improve the breed. “This is not a new research organisation and It does not duplicate work already being done. Its aim is to indicate directions in which research is most necessary to increase our efficiency in the production of high-quality meat and wool.”