Policy change on stud farm

Press, 30 October 1981, Page 17

Policy change on stud farm

By

John Goulter,

journalist,

Lincoln College

A change of policy., for Lincoln College’s stud sheep farm will, see the number of breeds there' reduced from six to three and a '■ change of name to the sheep breeding unit. ■ - --

Announcing the change at this week’s meeting .of the college council, the’principal (Professor J. D.'Stewart) said that the concentration 'on larger flocks of three-breeds — Corriedales. Border Leicesters,- and Dorset Downs would allow the college to serve the New Zealand sheep industry and its own teaching needs more effectively. “There has been a longstanding policy of assessment and re-evaluation of the attributes required; .Of sheep for the New Zealand industry, and of the extent to which the resources of the college can best be used to. foster the identification and breeding of the best genetic material.

“Developments in sheep breeding during the last two decades have emphasised the. need for large-scale breeding operations if maximum benefits are to be gained from "selection, particularly for ’ reproductive traits for which heritability is low. This has seen the’ development of large-scale breeding and we cannot ignore this trend in our planning.” Professor Stewart said.

Along with the Coopworth flock on the college’s Lyndhurst farm, the Corriedale breeding programme would concentrate on reproductive aspects and fine wool characteristics; suited to local conditions’’he said. In addition, one line of Corriedales would be used to look at the possibility of selection -for resistance to parasitism; an important aspect because of irrigation development and the likely increase in parasite problems.

With the Border Leicester, emphasis would be on growth and carcase composition. With the world demand for leaner meat, it made good sense to produce heavier carcases, particularly on

irrigated . land, Professor Stewart said. • The Dorset Down would be retained, with selection intensified for growth rate and low body fat content. Professor Stewart said that a feature of all the breeding work would be the use of new technology.

An ultrasonic device for the measurement of fat thickness would be used for initial screening of rani lambs. The device was developed by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Professor Stewart said that the changes would take some time to implement, while more stock was sought and the unit's facilities were upgraded. And he said there was “genuine regret” at the need to discontinue work with other breeds which the college had long been associated with, and where staff had made .notable contributions. '

The decision; had been made after .long debate within ; the college, and consultations with sheep'breeding societies. One outcome would be that the college in its teaching and demonstration programme would further seek the co-operation of outside breeders with flocks no longer available on the unit, Professor Stewart said.