Interest in market needs

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34046, 9 January 1976, Page 6

Interest in market needs

The scientific committee had continued to press for research into consumer preferences so that breeders could have as accurate a knowledge as possible of market requirements, the retiring president, Mr J. H. Bartlett, of Feilding, told the recent annual meeting of the Southdown Sheep Society of New Zealand.

“Unfortunately the wheels of progress turn extremely slowly and we might be permitted to wonder if without the efforts of our scientific committee they would turn at all,” he said.

'The society’s approach for carcase assessment in the United Kingdom of a consignment of lambs was declined by the Meat Board, but as an alternative the board agreed to undertake an evaluation of carcases at the cold stores of two meat plants in the South Island.

“The suggestion from the board’s officers was that it might be possible to produce specific information on the desirable physical characteristics for export lamb.

“The scientific committee feels that a full-scale market research project would be likely to produce more positive results, but was pleased to ■ accept the board’s alternative in the hope of making some progress. We still await advice from the board on the

results of its assessments.” In his last report Mr Bartlett said he had advised that the board, _at the request of the scientific committee, was to carry out a breed origin survey with the co-operation of the Hawke’s Bay Meat Company Ltd, at Whakatu. This had been done, but due to delays in processing the information they had yet to be informed what the survey revealed. Mr Bartlett said that the society’s trade mark scheme continued to receive support from members and 11 flocks had been considered by the trade mark inspectors, with six qualifying. The council was very conscious that where flocks achieved this qualification they should maintain their standard and when flocks were reinspected the council was determined that the renewal of the classification should not be automatic, and in fact there was likely to be a tightening of inspection requirements. More than 30 flocks had also been inspected on a voluntary basis with a view to improving their standard.

Mr L. G. Mac Kay, of Gore, was elected president in place of Mr Bartlett, who has completed his term.

Mr O. R. Self, of Papatoetoe, was farewelled from the council, of which he has been a member since 1955 and after being a member of the society for 50 years. In his place, reoresenting the northern ward, Mr J. T. Wynyard, of Warkworth, was elected.

Other members of the council are Messrs G. S. McLeod (Martinborough) and H. D. Chittock (Gore), who are vice-presidents, and Messrs Bartlett (Kiwitea), D. R. Crooks (Waipukurau), N. J. Early (Ashburton), J. D. W. Hughes (Waverley), I. McCarroll (Tauranga), L. J. McLauchlan (Blenheim), W. J. MacLeod (Feilding), J. C. Medlicott (Waimate), H. W. Pannett (Clydevale), R. N. Waddell (Gisborne) and A. D. Wyllie (Amberley).