PREPARING SHEEP HARD, ARDUOUS TASK

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 26

PREPARING SHEEP HARD, ARDUOUS TASK

Preparing stud sheep for exhibiting at shows is no easy task. Preparation goes on continually, from the time the progenies’ sires and dams are mated right until judging takes place. It starts again for next year's show as soon as this one show is finished. It is hard, exacting work, with meticulous care paid to every detail of the sheep. The stud breeder’s whole farm programme and year’s work are geared around the shows, and the preparation tests the temperament of the breeder and his family, as the tension mounts in the weeks immediately before the show takes place. The object of the show sheep is not to produce progeny of equal production, but to give a boost to the commercial flocks: to add an extra half pound or pound of wool to the wool breeds or improve the carcases of the mutton breeds.

A well-known North Canterbury stud breeder, Mr J. R. Little, of Hui Hui, Hawarden, whose Corriedale stud is situated in the middle of an area commonly known as “Corriedale Alley,” was approached for his opinions on what show preparation involves. Mr Little’s grandfather was one of those who evolved the Corriedale breed. According to Mr Little, show preparation is basically giving a good or great animal every chance to demonstrate its commercial production to its greatest advantage. That is all. One cannot conceal major faults. The judges are experienced show men themselves and are rather difficult to confuse,

while other competitors would not be timid in speaking out if there was anything unfair on show day. It is impossible to make a sheep any larger or any longer; or the crimp in

the wool more pronounced or the carcase any better, than the potential of the sheep has permitted, he said. In spite of the popular fallacy that show preparation consists of mysterious trade secrets and closely guarded techniques, recipes and tricks, by which the judges are confused

and the opposition confounded, no one has yet devised a method of turning a really bad sheep into a really good one. If anyone could prove this could be done, Mr Little thinks such a demonstration would prove one of the show’s main draw cards. The preparation consists of a great deal of hard and dedicated work over a long period of time. At the very least, it began with the mating of the sires and dams of this year’s show sheep because the first essential in show preparation is to start with as near perfect an animal as possible. Preparation is carried on throughout the pregnancy of the ewe, through the nursing of the lamb, and after weaning. It is

continued by careful feeding of the lamb right up to maturity and throughout its showing career. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean a continual pouring of unlimited exotic foodstuffs into the animal, but in many cases a careful rationing of the quantity of feed permitted. Among exhibitors there has been the long recognised saying that more good show sheep have been spoiled by over-feeding than ever were by under-feeding. One must remember that a major factor in the initial selection of a sheep for a show team is based on its efficiency in converting feed into wool and meat. This very efficiency can become a major problem if the sheep is granted an unlimited diet. In extreme cases such a diet could be lethal, particularly in the case of a hog-

get, where, unless it has an exceptional constitution (capable of producing its full potential of wool and meat while still in the growing stage) its health is placed under too great a strain. The great demands placed on a hogget to produce meat and wool to the absolute maximum, as well as continue a maximum growth rate, is past in the case of adult sheep. However, attention to diet is still essential, if sheep, brought to the high condition necessary to demonstrate its full potential production, are to be “eased off.” A runner could not 'break a four minute mile every day of the year, Mr Little said as an example.

At no stage does any show exhibitor claim that he has not fed his stock to the absolute efficient limit of his ability, nor does he suggest that a similar level of production could be obtained on native and tussock counshow exhibitor claim that What the breeder claims is that his exhibit repre-

sents the sheep’s full potential production and that the sheep has the constitution to sustain that production. The breeder also claims the animal can convert maximum feed into maximum production and that its constitution is greatly in excess of what would be required under commercial conditions. The

greatest test of constitution in an animal is to induce it to produce its absolute maximum by heavy feeding rather than let it produce an absolute minimum by under-feed-ing. These two points, of maximum potential and

maximum constitution to go with it, are possibly two of the strongest vindications for the whole concept of the livestock show in its present form, Mr Little said. The feed side of preparing show stock involves a certain amount of long

term planning and work on the agricultural aide. One must think several years ahead to ensure that the basic ingredient of show feeding—pasture—is available at the right stage and place at the right time. Preparatory work on the presentation of the sheep follows once it has been suitably bred and fed. Part of this is begun many months before the show and is continued periodically from the previous autumn. Show sheep are normally covered prior to the winter and their continuing growth requires occasional removal and replacement of the covers to allow for the increase in size. The feet of the sheep on a higher feed scale, grow rather more rapidly than a sheep on a normal diet and must be constantly watched and trimmed when necessary. Any development of dags

cannot be treated in the normal manner by crutching with a pair of dagging shears, but must be washed out. Occasionally, an overpugnacious ram must be discouraged from fighting by the use of a “cap” of light canvas, or similar material which will drop in front of his eyes when he lowers his head to butt. This effectively blinds him in his fighting stance. Early in the autumn, the sheep are started on a light diet of concentrated feed. This is strange to the lambs and they are introduced to it through the medium of one or two older show sheep which are not being used for breeding that particular season.

Apart from covert, feet and feeding, very little more is done until the show season approaches, when the more intensive work starts. This is usually some weeks before the first show and it fathers momentum rapidly until a state of “near hysteria” is reached. This is maintained until the ahow sheep are in the pens and the exhibitors are asked to make way for the judge. The final, constant work for several days is that of “opening the fleece.” This consists of running down the natural lock lines of the fleece to ensure that the mass of wool which has been constricted by the covers all winter, will open naturally for the judge. It is back-breaking work as the men are stooped over their sheep opening the fleece for days on end. Every night covers go on again to protect the fleece from dust or rain and in most cases, for the final few days prior to the show, sheep are housed as well if there is the slightest chance of rain, as all the week's work can be undone by one heavy downpour.

The final foot trim is carried out The sheep are uncovered and given every

possible moment of sunshine to allow air and warmth through the fleece to assist and maintain the yolk flow. The wool over the tail is cut square across—a state which is not easily reached. Even the smallest taggle—or tiny lock on the head or legs, slightly pulled out or bedraggled by the long winter, is snipped off level with the rest. Any dirt or grime on the white faced breeds is washed off, any locks of wool, on the belly, made ropey or pencilly by the wet grass, are teased out to their normal fullness. A judge can only judge sheep as they are on the day—not on what he considers they might have been, Mr Little said. However, show preparation is not finished at the end of the show. Those intended for exhibition the following year must be shorn for inspection and issue of certificates to permit their entry in 1964 in the next age class. A very good illustration of how much work is involved in show preparation can be gauged from the remark by a wellknown Canterbury breeder of some years ago as he was loading the last of his show team to take home from the Christchurch show. When asked by an earnest inquirer when preparation for next year’s show would be started, the breeder replied, “Tomorrow morning, at eight o’clock.”