Hampshires In Demand For Fat Lambs

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31835, 13 November 1968, Page 31

Hampshires In Demand For Fat Lambs

Considerable progress has been made by the Hampshire Down sheep breed in New Zealand in the 16 years since the first five mated ewes and a ram were imported from England to form the first New Zealand flock. Today, there are 36 registered flocks mating an estimated 2300 stud ewes.

However, the Hampshires had a very early association with the Dominion’s sheep breeding industry as they were first introduced to Canterbury, the present stronghold of the breed, in 1863.

By 1901, there were three registered flocks mating 300 ewes. Unfortunately, this is not recorded in Volume 63 of the New Zealand Flock Book, which contains particulars only of registered Hampshire flocks as at May 31, 1967. The Hemsworth flock of J. C. Guinness (Ashburton) is No. 1 in New Zealand, founded in 1952 with five mated ewes and a ram from the Hemsworth Manor stud of P. Stewart Tory, of

Dorset, England. Since then, flocks 2,6, 8, 12 and 28 have been dispersed. The Otago breeders, Robert J. Knowles and Son (Palmerston), maintain the largest flock (No. 3) with over 400 registered ewes at their Glendarran stud. It was founded in 1953 with nine mated ewes from the South Australian stud of J. B. Snell and Company, of Bolivar.

Mr Knowles, senior, visited Australia this year to inspect sires that might be suitable under New Zealand conditions.

Despite the enthusiasm of Messrs Guinness and Knowles, recruits to the breeding system were not raised readily. One flock (No. 4) was registered in 1956 and another (No. 5) in 1957; there were three registrations in 1958, but only one in 1959. Then followed four in 1960, two in 1961 and 1962, three in 1963, five in 1964, one in 1965, seven in 1966 and five in 1967.

The number of breeding ewes continues to increase—now approaching the 3000 mark—so the demand is greater for stud sires and surplus ewes. Most breeders Cannot satisfy the demand for flock sires for prime lamb production and very satisfactory prices are being paid for the breed. The expansion of the breed in recent years has been marked, not only because of is ability to produce from 150 to 200 per cent of lambs, but also for its suitability in the prime lamb industry. Har.ipshiresired lambs have proved to be early maturing at increased weights and possessing uniform carcases well covered with marbled meat. The world-wide trend towards the pre-packaging of meat at both wholesale and retail levels has placed a greater emphasis on this type of lamb carcase, which can be processed into cuts with little waste. Hampshire cross lambs exhibited at agricultural and pastoral shows and entered for district primal cutting competitions have attracted increasing attention, while Hampshire Downs have won inter-breed championships at major shows.

LEADING STUD Among the studmasters who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of the Hampshire Down breed in New Zealand is D. S. Crosson, of Methven, Mid-Canterbury. Since the

formation of his Risingholme stud (Flock No. 11) in 1960, he has concentrated on quality. Show performances, particularly in metropolitan and Royal show classes at Christchurch and elsewhere, have provided evidence of the study he has made of the breed and the time he has taken in producing quality sheep. His importation of 22 mated ewes from E. E. and R. C. Cotton, of the Carrington stud, Oberon, New South Wales, has been a great influence to the breed. More than 200 ewes are now mated at Risingholme. The Carrington stud now operates in partnership with the Craigmore stud of P. Elworthy, of Maungati, South Canterbury. The Craigmore flock (No. 29) was registered in 1965 and the partnership was formed in 1967. Craigmore now has more than 200 registered ewes.

Australian blood is dominant in New Zealand flocks and unfortunately there is a limit as to how far it can be carried without too much close breeding. It appears that North America could be the source of suitable new blood. At least one New Zealand breeder has planned a trip to the United States. Although he will be visiting Yonkers his interest might not be confined to pacing and trotting horses.

NEW BLOOD While a few top New Zealand sheep breeders have been successful in selling Southdown, Romney and Corriedale sires to select American studs there is every possibility that this enterprising South Island Hampshire Down breeder could arrange the importation of new Hampshire blood to New Zealand. The transfer of sires from the United States to New Zealand is slow and costly because of the strict quarantine regulations. Stock have to be transported by way of England. The air-freighting of semen, in contrast, is efficient and speedy and now on a well organised basis in the dairy industry of New Zealand. Although the Hampshire Down is a British breed its popularity has moved to almost every prime lamb producing country in the world.

Nowhere is it more popular than in the United States of America, where the number of registrations for the year 1967, ending October 31. was 26.681. The most used breeds in New Zealand for prime lamb production are Romneys, Southdowns and Corriedales. Stud statistics of these three breeds reveal a total of 20,167 registrations in their respective flock books. Hampshire Down breeders from eight States, including research specialists, met at Kansas State University recently for a national Hampshire sheep conference —the first of its kind in the United States sheep industry.