Fine-Woolled Sheep Strong At Blenheim

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31832, 9 November 1968, Page 26

Fine-Woolled Sheep Strong At Blenheim

YFrOm Our Own Reporter.*

BLENHEIM, November 8.

Fine-woolled sheep and an increased entry of beef cattle, particularly in the Hereford section, were features of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s annual show which opened at Blenheim today.

Heavy rain from the northwest for much of the day resulted in a email attendance, but judging in the livestock sections was kept to schedule. ' Conditions for ring events were difficult There was an occasional lull, and the obstacles for jumping were kept as low as possible. The ehow’i reputetlon lor nnewooled sheep was as good as ever, buit other sheep breeds were also well up to metropolitan standard, as proved by some of the district's sheep at the Royal show last month. judiing the Merinos was Mr C. Bowhay, of St George, Queensland. He will judge again at the Christchurch show next week. Mr Bowhay found the top sheep were a cut above the remainder. He selected the winning ram in the strong combing section for the grand championship. The exhibitors were Stevenson Brother., of Upcot. This sheep had a good Merino head, and was well covered, with a good quality fleece, ho Mid. A sheep which took Mr Bowhay's attention was A. X. van Asch's champion flne-comblng Merino ram. This sheep had a fleece of 7VBC quality. While he was so Impressive, he was a little fine for the grand championship. C.rrledal. Section A. H. Kennington, Ud, of Seddon, dominated the Corriedale section, and some of his sheep will no doubt be competing at Christchurch. Kennington sheep won seven classes and both championships. Mr A. M. Saunders, of Ashburton, who judged the section, described them as an excellent type of Corriedale. weU brought out.

For the'champion ewe, it was her third champfonahip/and Mr Saunders said it was very close between this ewe and the champion ram for the award of best Corriedale in the show.

Mr C. W. Denton, of Domett, who judged the halfbreds,

found competition was even in ail Clauses. Some entries were a little plain In the wool but most would stand competition anywhere. The Southdown judge (Mr J. J. Wyllie, of Omihl) said that while breeders were going tor the “naw look" in breeding sheep of else and length, they had to take care to avoid other defects.

Some of the sheep he judged had poor skins, they were dark brown or blue, Instead, of pink, and this could lead to down grading at frebslng works. Mr wyllie said, there was no tail ; end. He thought the best class was that for rgm hoggets In natural condition. The Romney section was notable for the success of the local breeders, Thomson Brothers. They won 11 of the 1* classes.

Sood Sntry As in previous years there was a good entry of Friesian cattle. The judge (Mr E. L. Adams, of Brookside) was pleased at the numbers paraded, but suggested that exhibitors should milk their cows later on the might before the show.

Some of the cows, he said, were carrying too much milk at time of judging. With 30 individual entries the Hereford section was a feature of the beet cattle. The judge (Miso R. Donald, of Featherston) said she thought the cattle would hold their own at North Island shows. She hoped to see local breeders take their cattle further aflold. A yearling bull shown by the Glenfleld stud was awarded the Hereford grand championship, and a. panel of judges later awarded him the Meat and Wool Cup. A Galloway shown by J. F. Cooper, Ltd, won the award for best of opposite sex. J. B. Hickman, a regular competitor at Christchurch, dominated the Aberdeen Angus section. All his entries were by his successful imported sire, Prlnclbet of Kinermony.

were:— Merino.—Fine combing: Ram, A. E. Van Asch: reserve, J. R. Jackson. Ewe. J. R. Jackson, and reserve. Medium combing:

Ram, F. N. W. Richmond; reserve, J. R. Jackson. Ewe, J. R. Jackson; reserve, R. P. Steele. Strong combing: Ram, Stevenson Bros; reserve, F. N. W. Richmond. Ewe, F. N. W. Richmond; reserve, R. P. Steele. Grand champion Merino ram, Stevenson Brothers, fine combing; reserve, F. N. W. Richmond, strong combing. Grand champion ewe, J. R. Jackson, fine combing; reserve, F. N. W. Richmond, strong combing.

Halfbred.—Ram, F. N. W. Richmond; reserve, A. M. Pattie. Ewe, A. M. Pattie, and reserve.

Corriedale.—Ram, A. H. Kennington, Ltd, and reserve. Ewe, A. H. Kennington, Ltd; reserve, J. Pattie.

Lincoln.—Ram, Newton Godsiff, and reserve. Ewe, Newton Godsiff; reserve, I. C. Marfell.

Romney. Ram, Thomson Brothers, and reserve. Ewe, Thomson Brothers; reserve, H. E. Wilfliams.

Border Leicester.—Ram, K. H. N. Berryman, and reserve. Ewe, K. H. N. Berryman, and reserve.

Southdown.—Ram, A. C. Lawrence, and reserve. Ewe, A. R. Marfell; reserve, L. J. McLauch-

South Dorset Down.—Ram, A. S. Leslie; reserve, D. Boyce. Ewe, J. L. Allen, and reserve.

Dorset Horn.—Ram. D. A. Booker, and reserve. Ewe, D. A. Booker and reserve.

Poll! Dorset.—Ram, D. A. Booker, and reserve. Ewe, D. A. Booker, reserve.

Aberdeen Angus.—Bull, J. B. Hickman, and reserve. Female, J. B. Hickman, and reserve. Galloway.—Bull, J. F. Cooper, Ltd, and reserve. Female, J. F. Cooper, Ltd, and reserve. Shorthorn.—Bull, K. M. Dysart. Female, K. M. Dysart. Hereford. Bull, Glenfleld Stud; reserve, J. F. Cooper, Ltd. Female, J. G. Murray; reserve, J. F. Cooper, Ltd. Supreme champion, Glenfleld Stud; reserve, J. G. Murray. Friesian.—Bull, K. L. Looms; reserve, W. G. Parkes and Sons. Female. R. S. Hewetson; reserve, W. G. Parkes and Sons. Marlborough Friesian Oaks, S. W. Woolley. Jerseys.—Bull, D. M. and I. M. Jordan, and reserve. Cow, D. M. and I. M. Jordan, and reserve.