Increased Entries In Blenheim Show

Press, Volume C, Issue 29662, 4 November 1961, Page 15

Increased Entries In Blenheim Show

(From Out Own Rtportn)

BLENHEIM. Nov. 3. Fine weather and increased •nines were features of the opening day of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association's eightyninth annual gho>w at Blenheim today. Although the province is very dry at present and almost no rain fell last month the genera] standard of entries is very high. Gate takings today were <3B 9s Sd, the same as last year. Entries this year totalled >WO, compared with 32*8 last year and J 684 in I'JSe. Of these the sheep section has 473 entries compared with 3M last year; cattle 310 compared with 328; and horses 645 compared with 741.

Most of the sheep and cattle Judging was completed today and mainly group classes will be decided tomorrow.

As well as the full programme of horse and pony events in the show ring tomorrow there will be shearing competitions and a special demonstration by champion axemen of the jigger board chop.

Over-all. the sheep entries contrasted sharply with similar breeds seen in Canterburyshows this season. While Canterbury sheep have in many cases shown the effects of the severe and wet winter In their wool, those in Marlborough have had much drier conditions and the lack of recent rain resulted In the sheep being shown with full, lustrous fleeces.

Classes for ewes with lambs at foot are also showing well compared with recent Canterbury displays, and the fat lamb classes, which will be Judged tomorrow morning, have some excellent entries penned. Fine Merinos The juoge of Ute Merino section (Mr R. S. Bell, of Gllgandra, New South Wales) had a full day of deliberation, but there was a high standard at entries ranged before him. Mr Bell owns the Corona Merino Stud, which was based on the famous Bundemar strain of the breed, and several sheep he junged today are descendants ol progeny from his own stud. One at the competitors. Mr C. H. Rudd and his eon, won the 18 to 30-month ram class with a ram imported from Mr Bell's stud last year. Mr Rudd said that of the 30 sheep he was showing only one was not descended from Mr Bell’s bloodline. Mr Rudd imported a ram about six years ago, which has been used as a main stud sire. Probably 70 to 80 per cent, of the Merino sheep entered In the show this year have been bred from recent importations of Australian sires. As well as from Mr Bell's stud there have been importations from other well-known strains.

Most of the sheep judges are well known Canterbury stud breeders. The judge of the Corriedales (Mr R. M. Thomson, of Culverden) said that while his section had not been large there was a good standard of presentation, and the winning sheep in each class were particularly good. Overall, the wool was in excellent condition.

Halfbred sheep were judged by Mr P. R. Steele, of Waiau. Mr Steele was somewhat disappointed with some of the sheep before him. The rams were better than the ewes, but the champion ram was selected from the hogget classes on the basis that the sheep had better prospects than any other and the adult sheep were beginning to show their age. This ram hogget had a good sire’s fleece. Ewes were rather disappointing with the only competition in the hogget classes and then mostly in the natural condition classes. Mr Steele said more attention should be given to developing the latent qualities of the sheep and doing the sheep full Justice. In the group classes more care was needed in matching the sheep. Magnificent Wool" Mr F. H. Chlttock. of Lincoln. Judged the Romney Marsh section and was most impressed with the generally high standard. The wool was in magnificent condition, and the entries were great specimens, be said. Of the class for a ewe over 30 months with Jamb, he said it was the best such class he had ever Judged. 'They were fit to travel anywhere and would not be beaten at the Royal Show.” Mr Chlttock said. Woolly rams, in both aged and fourtooth classes, were also magnificent specimens. For a predominantly mixed farming area the dairying section ot the show was particularly good and most classes had strong competition. Mr E. W. King, of Nelson, who Judged the all breeds dairy cattle classes, was pleased with the increased entries, particularly in the Friesian section. Quality cattle were forward from all breeds, but the Jersey exhibitors presented their entries best, he said. Many of the exhibitors should accustom their cattle to more handling and groom them better. Mr King also commended the association for its new milking shed, which, he said, was fully up to the highest requirements.

Entries tn the beef esttte section were disappointingly small although some of the country's top breeders bve in the province. Pit entries on the other band, have Increased and there was a very faith standard overall, with some excellent sows and Utters shown. Although dry, the show rt-t is tn excellent order and there was a good display of horsemanship to Use hunter, pony and competition classes. Clumpi Mii*nljrf Championship* awarded Woro:— Lincoln—Ram" VM. Blahell and Sons and reserve. Ewe: W. M. Bishell and Sons and reserve. Border Leicester—Ram: K. H. N. Berryman (reserve. Hickman Bros.). Ewe: K. H. N. Berryman and reserve. Dorset Hom.—Ram: D. A. Booker and reserve. Ewe: D. A. Booker (reserve. W. L. Walsh). Cheviot.—Ram: A. G. Gibson (reserve. D. C. Gibson). Ews: D. C. Gibson and reserve. Southdown.—Ramt L. MrLachlan (reserve. I. M. Jordan). Ewe: L. McLachlan and reserve. Corriedale.—Ram: D. B Macdonald and reserve. Ewe: T. J. Taylor and reserve. Ram: L. G. Dollar and reserve. Ewe: J. A. Cooper (reserve. Waddy and Son). Romney Marsh.—Ram: Thomson Bros, and reserve. Ewe: Thomson Bros). rattle Galloway.—Bull: R. C. Grigg and reserve. Cow: R. C. Grigg and reserve. Shorthorn.—Bull: R S. Dysart. Cow: K. M. Dysart Hereford—Bull: A. F. Denton and reserve. Aberdeen Angus—Bull: F. A. Elliot (reserve. P. H. Hocquard). Cow: Hicman Bro*, and reserve. Meat And Wool CupWinner: K. M. Dysarfs champion shorthorn cow. Best Beef Boast Of Opposite Sex.—F. A. Elliot's ehampion Aberdeen Angus bull.