N.Z. Lambs Highly Praised

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30769, 5 June 1965, Page 10

N.Z. Lambs Highly Praised

The men who judged in London the latest consignment of New Zealand competition lambs are full of praise for them. These were the lambs that were selected at export lamb competitions throughout the country earlier in the current export killing season.

“It should be stated at the outset that there was not, in our opinion, one pen or one carcase in the entire competition which could be ruled ‘out of hand’ as commercially unsuitable,” said the panel, comprising Messrs M. Bucka, D. Lusby and R. Pooley. “The entries from both islands were remarkably even, illustrating the improved acceptance and understanding of United Kingdom standards in New Zealand. The exceptions to the rule were the winning districts which stood out as obvious champions, both as regards conformation and presentation. If it were possible for other districts to use Eastern Southland and Manawatu as a target, they would not be aiming far short of perfection.

“All entries were admirably presented and the dressing and marking were up to the high standard we have learned to take for granted from New Zealand. Our criticisms are of a minor nature.

“We concluded that the very high standard of all entries illustrated the obvious care producers have taken to study United Kingdom requirements. The closeness of all entries to butchers’ needs is the best demonstration of the value of the competition as a very worthwhile exercise.”

Of the winning South Island district, Eastern Southland, the judges said that this was “an exceptional, even run of well-made lambs entirely suitable for the trade. A creditable entry with a high standard of dressing. Brand marking good.

. The Nelson entry was third. “A very good run of

lambs,” said the judges. “Conformation good over-all but slight tendency to fatness on docks and shoulders. Dressing generally good, but several instances of , torn briskets. Brand marking satisfactory.” Marlborough: “An ordinary run of lambs lacking in conformation and not up to the standard of this competition. Dressing generally good but instances of torn briskets. Brand marking satisfactory.” North Canterbury: “A mixed run of lambs of uneven conformation and some slight of meat and tendency to fat on docks and shoulders. Dressing excellent and brand marking satisfactory.” Mid-Canterbury: “A very good run of neat lambs very suitable for the trade. Dressing excellent and brand marking clear and distinct.”

South Canterbury: “A useful run of lambs of generally good conformation but tendency to fatness on back. Dressing very good and brand marking satisfactory.” Comments on the placed pens in each of the local districts in order of placing were:

Nelson —R. D. Higgins: The heaviest pen in the district but nevertheless maintaining good make and shape. Very good butchers’ meat. D. P. Gibbs: A very good pen, but faulted by one lamb

carrying excess fat on dock. J. T. Baigent: A nicely matched pen, but tending to be overfat for trade. Marlborough.—l. M. Jordan: A nicely matched pen of lean lambs. B. Glover: Three good lean useful lambs, but slightly lacking in conformation. J. Kennington: An even pen but one lamb tending to wastefulness on chump. North Canterbury—M. H. Martin: Three well-matched lambs of good conformation and not at all wasteful. D. Lang: One lamb showing weakness in legs faulted this pen. G. F. M. Sheat: Good conformation, but lambs lacking evenness in loins. Mid-Canterbury. p. H. Olorenshaw: Three wellmatched lambs of very good conformation and full of lean meat. Square in the legs. A. Davison: Three very good lambs but not so well matched. R. G. Read: A good pen, but faulted as one lamb weak in leg and loin. South Canterbury—J. C. Medlicott and Son: An extremely well-matched pen of lambs of very good conformation. D. H. R. McNab: A very lean pen of lambs very suitable for the trade, but faulted into second place as one lamb falling away in hindquarters. A. S. Copland: Three neat small lambs but lacking squareness in the legs.