1800 Stud Sheep For China

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 1

1800 Stud Sheep For China

Described as the biggest consignment of stud sheep ever to leave New Zealand, 1800 Romneys and Corriedales will be shipped to China next week.

The sheep will be loaded aboard the stock transport vessel, Al-Kuwait, at Lyttelton and Napier. They are bound for Shanghai, the purchasers being the China National Animal By-Products Import and Export Corporation. The sale was made by the stud stock manager for Dalgety and New Zealand Loan Ltd. (Mr J. V. Evans) during a visit to China in May. As experienced by Wright Stephenson and Company, which shipped 300 stud sheep to China six weeks ago, the rigid specifications laid down by the Chinese created a tremendous amount of detailed work before shipment.

In common with the last shipment from Lyttelton, the

sheep had to be shorn, and the wool forwarded in an individual sample bag. Operated by the Kuwait Steamship Company, Ltd., the Al-Kuwait is designed for transporting livestock. It is air-conditioned, and all stock is carried below decks. It also has a water-distilling plant, obviating the need to divert to ports to take on water.

The sheep for China have been selected from 120 studs throughout the Dominion. They comprise 1080 Romney ewe hoggets, 120 Romney ram hoggets, 270 Corriedale ewe hoggets, 30 Corriedale ram hoggets, 275 in-lamb Corriedale two-tooth ewes, and 25 Corriedale two-tooth Yams. Mr J. Russell, a member of Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd.’s stud stock staff, will travelwith the sheep to Shanghai. “This will mean a considerable earning of overseas exchange for New Zealand at a time when we need to see a new thrust in export returns.” said Mr J. H. Rutherford, president of the Romney

Sheep Breeders’ Association. “I believe that not only is this the biggest shipment of pedigree stock New Zealand has made, but it is only the beginning. “Our stud Romneys and other sheep have established a world-wide reputation and New Zealand is now becoming well established as the stud stock farm’of the Pacific. “In the selection of these sheep the Romney Association, as well as the sister breed society, made the inspection to ensure a high standard. “There has been excellent co-operation among the breeders, the Department of Agriculture, and the purchasing agency, Dalgety and N.Z. Loan,” he said. Canterbury Vendor* Sheep were selected from the following Canterbury studs:— Corriedales.—W. Anderson Estate (Waiau), W. R. E. and F. E. Booker (Hawarden), W. A. Booker (Hawarden), J. F. G. Blakely (Waikari), R. H. Branch (Ashburton), A. E. Cross (Bennetts), O. G. Evans

and Son (Hawarden), W. P. Earl (Hawarden), M. R. Gilmore (Hawarden), J. H. Grigg (Ashburton), W. J. Hoban and Son (Culverden), D S. Johns (Culverden), A. G. Lawrence (Hawarden), J. H. Lawrence (Hawarden), estate H. T. Little (Hawarden), P. N. Martin (Ashburton), R. B. Pawsey (Ashburton), estate J. Reid. Ltd. (Darfield), R. Ridgen (Greendale), estate H. C. A. Sidey (Hawarden), D. S. Studholme (Ashburton), R. M. Thomson (Culverden). Corriedales were also purchased from Bushey Park Estate, Palmerston South. Romneys.—F. Brice (Culverden), C. T. Burrows (Culverden), J. F. Collis (Hawarden), P. H. Collison (Hororata), J. R. Fraser (Pleasant Point), J. W. Gregory (Ashburton), J. H. Hodgen and Son (Lincoln), A. G. Jamieson (Timaru), G. S. Marshall (Ashburton), E. R. McConnell (Timaru), R. W. Oakley (Mayfield), H. R. and D. A. Scott (Ashburton), N. W. Scott (Ashburton), and estate E. S. Taylor (Woodlend).