Warning On Quality To Romney Breeders

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30897, 2 November 1965, Page 20

Warning On Quality To Romney Breeders

(New Zealand Press Association* INVERCARGILL, November 1. An increase in the production of coarse quality wool, which began in the south about six years ago, had been accompanied by a serious decline of the style, grade and staple build, Mr J. A. McArthur, of Invercargill, told the Southern Provinces Romney Breeders’ Club in Gore. i

Mr McArthur, who is spokesman for the Invercargill Woolbrokers’ Association, and manager of the Wool Department of Dalgety and New Zealand Loan in Southland, had been invited to address the club.

He said the content of his address was his own opinion and not necessarily that of any other broker or member of his company.

He said brokers and breeders had associated wool problems, of which, he believed, it was essential that breeders were aware. Romneys were the breed which had the greatest influence on the wool industry, with 73.4 per cent of ’he country’s sheep population. The upsurge in coarse wool production and the decline in standards had been going on for at least six years on an ever-increasing scale. The change to coarse quality wool breeding was not, in many cases, entirely the breeders’ wish. It appeared to have been the farmers’ demand for coarse wool stock which originally set the pattern and gave breeders no alternative but to supply the stock requested. “The farmers’ main idea of venturing into coarse crossbred stock,” said Mr McArthur, “was, I believe, rapidly to increase wool weights a head of sheep. Increased wool weights by quality alone have been proved to be small indeed. “I believe the greatest im-

provements in wool weights have been achieved by improved management, improved feeding programme, selection for mating, and culling the undesirable types from the breeding stock. “Many farmers are not realising the real position—that their wool clips have deteriorated, showing high percentages of plain, hairy and wasty type wools. They are now anxious to improve the general standard of their clips.’" BIG INCREASE It was early in 1964 that the attention of brokers was drawn to the “fantastic” increases of the coarse crossbred which had grown in quantity by 43 per cent in the previous three years. The very useful trade crossbred quality of 50s continued to fall from 136.865 bales in 1962-63 to 123.882 bales in 1964-65 “At this rate of decline, 50s quality could well disappear from our market in the next 10 years,” Mr McArthur said. He said 50s returned both very satisfactory fleece weights and prices. It was hardly logical to eliminate such useful and payable wool as 50s quality, Mr McArthur said.

“The top-grade wools are not the problem, however.

It is interesting to note that for every one bale of topgrade, coarse-quality wool produced, about 10 bales of average-inferior wool is produced.

“The well-established pat tern we are following could well prove dangerous in future if we fail to heed these warning signs.

The problems are real. It appears desirable that serious thought be given to a slight change in policy to arrest the run down of what I have the liberty to term limited trade types,” Mr McArthur said. QUALITY BALANCE

“1 have no doubt that it is our duty to ensure a reasonable balance of wool qualities to the world trade. We must always aim to market a range of uniform types with increased weights of higher grades which offer our customer, the manufacturer, the best selection of styles, lengths and qualities. “If we don’t, our present customers will, in time, turn to other avenues of fibre supply. Our policy must be to secure every extra customer that is humanly possible. “For the first two montl." of 1965, the United States consumed, in all sections of the wool trade, more manmade fibres. Europe shows a similar pattern, although man-made fibres did suffer a slight set-back in the first quarter of 1965.

“In nine major consuming countries, excluding the United States, the price cutting has favoured man-made fibres. A total of 70 different types of nylon were reduced in April, 1965, by 5d to Is 4d a lb. “It appears certain that you, the producers, and we, the marketers of wool, will not in future be in a position to dictate what wool t; e manufacturer must purchase. ADAPTABLE BREED “You are fortunate, indeed, that your Romney breed is so adaptable to our many and varied farming conditions in this country. “May I strongly recommend that you strive in future to improve the style and staple build-up, and to strike a balance of wool types which will assure your breed remains in the forefront “I have no doubt that our future is assured if we are all willing to play our part with continued improvements which must ensure the continued popularity of ■ our superior wool fibre against the encroachment of manmade fibres,” Mr McArthur said.