Sheep production groups formed

Press, 25 February 1983, Page 24

Sheep production groups formed

Improving sheep production and promoting the interests of breeders are the clear objectives of two new sheep group breeding schemes recently established in Canterbury. One scheme is the Canterbury Drysdale Development Group (Inc.) and the other is the Canterbury Romney Breeders’ Group (Inc.). Mr Bruce Binnie, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ animal husbandry adviser in Timaru has been involved in helping the groups establish their rules. He stressed that very high standards have been set and that both groups have worked together to work out their specifications. ''

The standards set for entry of ewes into the nucleus flocks are very high as are the subsequent culling standards.

The Drysdale group is chaired by Mr J. R. Hart from Waitohi, with Mr R. A. Chapman of Geraldine as secretary.

The first 12 Drysdale group members recently brought their sheep to the central flock of Mr P. F. Bormann’s property at Barnswood near Ashburton where they will be inspected and tagged. There are another 12 members who will put ewes in next year. Group members were shown around the farm and were very impressed with the high standard of the sheep and Mr Bormann’s management under borderdyke irrigation, according to Mr Binnie.

The Romney group is chaired by Mr D. J. T. Morrow of Okawa and the secretary is Mr A. Grant of Conlands, near Ashburton. The central flock is run on the Tripp brothers’ Orari Gorge station under the management of Mr I. Dent. Fifteen farmers recently took a flock of 228 screened ewes to Orari Gorge to establish the central Hock. The sheep were given a final inspection and tagged.