Perendale breeders demand evidence

Press, 16 July 1982, Page 16

Perendale breeders demand evidence

From DIEDRE SMITH

The New Zealand Perendale Society’s annual conference, held in Masterton recently, demanded conference delegates show some of the hybrid vigour the Perendale is renowned for.

Schedules were tight, with .an all day flock walk' taking delegates from Masterton but to the coast, stopping at three farms, two halls and finally at Castlepoint. Speakers along the way included the Associate Minister of Finance, and M.P. for Pahiatua, (Mr Falloon), who hinted at possible directions the Budget might take in relation to the fanning industry, more particularly meat and wool. He described the Government’s position as difficult, having to set priorities for utilisation, of funds. He defended S.M.P.S saying the system may be abused, and the money spent elsewhere by a minority of farmers, but most were responsible about it and used the money for the purpose intended. He described the hill country farmer as the one who has been “missing out,” with

the present system of support and hinted there is a possibility the Government may considering upping the wool S.M.P.

Other avenues open include direct support of some kind, or channelling money into the Ruralßank. The last option though, is not popular since it is recognised that the development loan system has contributed to the hike in land prices. The next address contained good news for Perendale breeders in that their meat was praised for its leanness and conformation.

The speaker, Dr Tony Kempster, is a British animal specialist brought out by the New Zealand Meat Board to talk to producers about the demands of the British market, and about breeding for leanness.

He gave breeders the message saying that most of the lamb going to the British market is too fat, and therefore has the image of a “bad buy” with the British housewife. He suggested a system of premiums for lean wellformed carcases would be an

incentive for production. Breeders should be aiming for an early maturing lamb weighing between 16 and 20kg.

The British, lamb production is growing rapidly, but most of it is being exported to France, where, because it is a “gastronomique” product, it must be fresh. Our lambs to the British market have therefore to be up to the same standard, or better, for they must weather being chilled or frozen. Next breeders were shown a “prognosticator" in action. Riversdale veterinarian, lan Shaw, demonstrated the ultrasonic machine on twotooth ewes from Pineview Station. Retail price of the machine is 52100, but a skilled operator can pregnancy test up to 1500 ewes per day . . . and there is an 80 per cent success rate in the detection of twins so the. machine can be of great value to a farmer. The next day saw dele-

gates out on the road again, to farms and to see a wool demonstration by Bill Regnault of Massey University. This year’s annual general meeting may have been the one to clear up the longstanding difference of opinion in the society about mandatory membership of the Sheeplan recording system.

The proposed solution, accepted in principle would mean Sheeplan members would no longer have to produce two sets bf returns, rather the society would be able to take information from the Sheeplan records (pedigree). Non-users would file their usual returns, and their information fed into the computer system for ‘ processing.

Eventually the society would be able to produce their flockbook from these tapes, cutting the cost of production dramatically.

The prestigious Peren Cup was awarded to an outstanding commercial breeder in the ward hosting the conference. Gordon MacDonald of Alfredton.

Mr MacDonald bred up his own flock,-culling hard until he got the type of sheep he wanted.

■, His lambing percentages have gone from between 60 and 70 per cent to between 95 and , 105 per cent, and stock numbers have increased dramatically as well. His farm, called Kilmory is 580 ha of ’ “pretty hard ground,” and was covered with scrub when he took it over. The scrub is now all cleared and 18 km extra fencing has been built. The Dunbarney Cup, for the best Perendale ram at the Royal Show, went to David Law of Shannon.

And the Struan Trophy, awarded to the breeder who has done the most for the breed over, the year went to Gough Smith, of Masterton. Mr Smith’s stud Earlyhurst has been in existence since 1966, and he has been on the Perendale Council for the last 10 years. He is also past president of the society. As head of the Wairarapa ward he was responsible for the organisation of this year’s conference.