NEW BREEDS GIVE ADDED INTEREST

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34106, 19 March 1976, Page 8

NEW BREEDS GIVE ADDED INTEREST

Good entries for Hawarden Show tomorrow . . ■' • ■" "■■ """

Two breeds of livestock which will add colour to the already comprehensive list of animals at the Hawarden Agricultural and Pastoral Show tomorrow are Hampshire sheep and Polled Shorthorn cattle.

The Hampshire is making its debut at the Hawarden Show' and the association is proud to have eight breeders exhibiting this breed. Among them is Mrs Ann Sidey, wife of the president of the association.

Hampshire sheep are a relatively new’ breed in this country. They were introduced by an Ashburton breeder, Mr Jack Guinness, who brought five stud ewes and a ram from England in the early IS'xO’s. Mr Guinness was the founder of the New Zealand Hampshire flock. Shortly after his first purchase he bought the only other Hampshire sheep in New Zealand from a Christchurch breeder, Mr T. H. Stephenson, who had acquired five rams and a ewe after Mr Guinness had bought his. After establishing his own flock Mr Guinness sold Hampshires to other breeders who have in turn

establisned their own studs. Because of its early maturity, heavy weight, prolific breeding, and lack of excess fat, the Hampshire is becoming a very popular breed. There are now about 150 Hampshire flocks throughout New Zealand. Experiments in New Zealand have proved the Hampshire to be adaptable to a wide range of pastures and climates and for crossbreeding purposes it is an ideal supplier of fast-grow-ing prime export lambs. The Hampshire breed has a long history of success in English fat stock shows. One of the most noted was when the breed won the Birmingham championship 12 times in 15 years and the Smithfield championship five times in eight years. Characteristics of the Hampshire breed are a dark almost black face and ears, which are long and slightly curved. The animal has a strong muscular neck and shoulders and a broad straight back with a wide rump and well developed legs. Shorthorns After an absence of 10 years Polled Shorthorn

cattle are being exhibited again this year. The animals on show are all from Australian stock. Two of the bulls have been imported and the other animals either contain Australian blood or were sired by artificial insemination from Australian stock. Seven Shorthorn entries have been received by the association.

The Australian breeders are widely recognised as being among the most progressive in Shorthorn cattle breeding. The Australian animal is in general a larger beast than was previously bred and supporters of the breed consider it ideal for modern meat demands.