Export Lamb Competition Judged In Ashburton

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 6

Export Lamb Competition Judged In Ashburton

A Lyndhurst farmer, Mr D. L. Anderson, created ■•something of * record” at thia years Mid-Canterbury Export Lamb competition by having both his pens of lambs sentforward to London without being re-grouped. The competition was held yesterday at the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s Fairfield freezing works. Mr Anderson took first place in the lambs to London competition and also third place. Three other competitors also had pens of lambs sent forward to London without having them re-grouped. They were Mr. J. Allan from Ashburton, Mr W. J. Small from Wheatstone and Mr A. Harris from the Mayfield district The seven London pens were of even fleshy lambs, the judges of the lambs on the hooks (Messrs A. White and E. Bell, supervisors and graders of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board) said. Unfortunately a small number were showing a little excess fat on the dots, they said. It would appear that in the competition generally this year, farmers had selected leaner types of lambs, which was following the overseas market trend. This was quite a good thing and it was certainly meeting the demand for the leaner types of lamb. Messrs Bell and White said. The lambs in this year's competition had been well handled, killed, branded and dressed, they said. It was a credit to the drafter that in the whole competition, there were only two lambs more than 361 b in weight. Farmers should exercise a little more care in the handling of the lambs, they considered, for a small number had been bruised on the i tail. Cutting and Packaging The cutting and packaging of meat was a very difficult and expensive business, the chairman of directors of C.F.M. (Mr L. D. Cotterill) said. Freezing companies were hoping for an expansion of sales in the United States and some of the cutting and packaging was for this market. However, some of the big overseas buyers did not want the New Zealand freezing companies to cut and package yet, he said. Freezing companies came in for a great deal of criticism, but fair criticism was a good thing. It was the companies’ job to give the farmers a good service. “Any unused killing capacity in freezing works we would like to see filled to meet the farmers’ needs,” said Mr Cotterill. The “Farmers’ Guardian" Mr T. P. Lowe, a member of the electoral college, who introduced the guest speaker (Mr C. Hilgendorf, a member of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board) said the meat board was the “farmers’ guardian” and had a very difficult job to do in finding and opening new markets. The board, said Mr Lowe, worked hand in hand with the freezing companies The president of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association (Mr K. V. Hood) said that this year, if the present type of weather kept up. it could develop into one of the worst droughts in the county’s history. Already there was very little feed in the area of the county towards the beach. “It is no wonder farmers, in general, want to get their lambs killed as soon as possible," he said. The presidents of the Mayfield and Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Associations (Messrs J. Jacob and G. Kelly), and the chairman of the Ashburton County Council (Mr N. S. Murdoch) also spoke. This year, 104 pens were entered in the competition, compared with 182 last year. The judge of the lambs on the hoof was Mr T. Clarkson, of Pleasant Point. Results were:— The Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, Ltd.’s Challenge Cup. for Ute best pen of lambs under 361 b, dressed weight: D. L. Anderson (Lyndhurst) (South-down-Romney ). The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s Silver Challenge Cup for the best two pens of lambs from any one exhibitor: D. L. Anderson (Lyndhurst). The Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Challenge Cup for the drafter of the winning pair of lambs: G. Chatterton (Ashburton). The Mayfield Agricultural and

Pastoral Association’s Challenge trophy for the best pen of three lambs entered from the Mayfield agricultural and pastoral district: A. Harris (Mayfield) (Southdown-Romney >. The Mayfield and Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Challenge Cup for the drafter of the best two pens of lambs from any one exhibitor: G. Chatterton (Ashburton). Special prize for the best Young Farmers’ Club pen: J. Allan (Ashburton) (SouthdownRomney). 311 b. 311 b. 301 b. Miniature Cup. for the best individual lamb, judged on the hooks: D. M. Bruce (Ashburton) (Suffolk-Romney). 321 b. Prizes for lambs judged on the hoof: J. Allan (Ashburton) (Southdown-Romney). 311 b. 311 b. 301 b. 1; Mrs F. R. Hood (Somerton) (Southdown-Corriedale). 2; Alford Station, Ltd. (South-down-Romney) 3. Prizes for best lamb judged on the hook: D. L. Anderson (Lyndhurst) (Southdown-Rora-ney), 281 b, 281 b, 271 b, and 281 b. 281 b, 301 b. 1 and 3; A. Harris (Mayfield) (Southdown-Rom-ney), 261 b. 281 b, 271 b. 2; P. H. Olorenshaw (Winch more) (Southdown-Romney), ♦; R. F. Small (Wheatstone) (South-down-Romney). 311 b, 291 b. 321 b. New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board’s Perpetual Challenge Shield for best district display of lambs from the South Island: D. L. Anderson (Lyndhurst)' (Southdown-Romney). 28lb, 281 b. 271 b. and 281 b. 281 b, 301 b. 1 and 3; A Harris (Mayfield) (South-down-Romney), 261 b. 281 b. 271 b. 2; P. H. Olorenshaw (Winchmore) (Southdown-Romney). 28 lb, 281 b, 271 b, 4; R. F. Small (Wheatstone) (Soutlidown-Rom-ney). 311 b. 291 b. 321 b. 5; W. J. Currie (Winchmore) (South-down-Romney). 261 b. 271 b. 241 b. 6: J. Allan (Ashburton) (South-down-Romney), 311 b, 311 b. 301 b, 7.