Stock Breeds’ Mission To South America

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31409, 30 June 1967, Page 10

Stock Breeds’ Mission To South America

Two Canterbury sheep breeders will be members of an official New Zealand survey party representing the United Breed Societies’ Association of the Royal Agricultural Society which will visit South America, probably in October.

They are Messrs J. F. G. Blakely, of Waikari, and T. E. M. Brooks, of Brookside.

Several South American countries have bought New Zealand stud stock over the years, and New Zealand blood lines, especially in Corriedale and Romney sheep, are prominent there. New Zealand cattle and sheep have also been bought for agricultural development projects. “This is one of the major projects which the Royal Agricultural Society is undertaking,” said the president of the society (Mr J. H. Rutherford) yesterday. “This is not a trade mission but a party to make contacts and study agricultural and breed developments in those countries which have been, or could be, markets for our livestock. The role of New Zealand as the stud stock farm of the Pacific can be greatly developed, but more first-hand information is necessary, and this the survey party will obtain. It will pursue the interests of all breeds.”

Mr Rutherford said that the society warmly appreciated

the active interest taken by the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) and his department in his project. It is expected that the party will visit Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico.

Members of the party will be Messrs Blakely (Corriedale Society), Brooks (Southdown Society), S. E. Esam, of Hastings, secretary of the New Zealand Aberdeen Angus Cattle Breeders’ Association, and I. B. Standring, of Feilding, secretary of the New Zealand Romney Sheep Breeders’ Association.