Sheepfarming In Mexico And Uruguay

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 15

Sheepfarming In Mexico And Uruguay

Sheeptorming is much more advanced in New Zealand than in Mexico or Uruguay, especially in the practical application of scientific knowledge, according to Dr. J. Ramirez, a veterinarian, of Mexico, and Mr S. Arbiza, an agronomist, who lectures at the University of Montevideo.

Both are visiting agricultural research stations and farms throughout New Zealand. They hold Food and Agriculture Organisation fellowships. and have been studying in Australia. Although Mexico’s 7m sheep were comparatively few by New Zealand standards, the country was increasing the number rapidly by an extensive training programme organised by the National Sheep and Wool Institute of the Ministry of Wool and Livestock, which was set up in 1960. Traditionally a cattle country. Mexico was importing sheep to strengthen it; flocks Recently it imported some Border Leicester Merino cross from New South Wales. Dr. Ramirez said.

This importing of sheep "would continue for some years under the training programme. and although Australian conditions were closer than New Zealand’s to those in Mexico, he considered there were some breeds which would be suitable for importation from this country. Corriedales, he thought, would be satisfactory Of the 25m sheep in Uruguay 10m were purebred Corriedales and another 10m were Corriedale cross. Mr Arbiza said. In the next few

years, he thought, all sheep in the country would be Corriedales.

Uruguay might import some Romney stock, but this would depend largely on whether it could find an overseas market for its mutton. At present it had a good market for beef, but not for lamb or mutton.

Land management in Uruguay was not as intensified as it was in New Zealand, tihe most common holding being 4000 to 5000 acres, and many properties being much larger. Too many of the holdings, he thought, were too big. Much of the land in Uruguay had not been developed to its maximum production because the poor returns from its livestock did not allow development with the very high cost of fertilisers and agricultural machinery, said Mr Arbiza.