Cross-Breeding Warning

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31215, 12 November 1966, Page 9

Cross-Breeding Warning

A warning about indiscriminate crossbreeding in flocks and herds was issued by Mr A. C. Wright, of Dunsandel, a member of the Meat Board, when he spoke to young farmers at the national lamb cuts competition held by New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs at the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s Belfast works this week.

“There is much talk today about breeds of cattle and sheep,” said Mr Wright. “The outside world looks upon our principal breeds as the best of their type. “While cross-breeding is part of our programme of production of animals for slaughter, I want to warn you against indiscriminate cross-breeding and any weakening of the quality of our basic flocks and herds. Our trade is based on quality products. Manufacturing grades of meat are also required, but quality meat comes from the best stock. “The basic type of New Zealand lamb is the cornerstone on which our trade is

built and maintained. We owe much to the breeders who are maintaining and improving our standards. “In the past we have had uniformity with the use of established fat lamb sires over the Romney and Corriedale ewes. Today there is a temptation to experiment with a wide range of sires and this could lead to a very much greater spread of lamb types making it harder for graders, salesmen and for shipping. “You cannot have uniformity of grades unless you have uniformity of breeds. Do not forget that the buyer at the other end is like the buyer at this end. A well-matched line will always sell better.” Mr Wright said that the over-fat problem was one that had to be overcome. But it was still most important that they should produce a good blocky carcase with a good eye of meat and an acceptable level of fat cover. There had to be regular drafting. A month was now possibly too long between draftings. Producers should not be misled by the average weight of a big draft, say averaging 281 b, for there could be a big variation from the top to the bottom weights in it Lambs, he said, were like fruit and just as fruit should be picked when it was

ready, so should lambs be drafted when they were ready. There was no advantage in holding lambs to juggle with weights or prices, he said.