Rare breeds of livestock sought

Press, 24 July 1987, Page 13

Rare breeds of livestock sought

Rare breeds of domestic livestock are being sought by a new conservation group in an effort to preserve and promote New Zealand’s endangered animals. Due to changes in fashion and farm management, useful characteristics of many rare breeds have not been previously recognised, according to the group’s organiser, Mrs Helen McKenzie.

The Lincoln sheep population has dropped to 1400, and farmers are© now finding that the addition of Lincoln genes to a flock significantly increases fleece weight. Galloway cattle have a high dressing-out percentage compared to other breeds, but more modern breeds have been adopted and Galloway numbers are now down to 100. New Zealand’s isolation and stringent quarantine make live imports almost impossible, so it is prudent to conserve the country’s existing genetic variation, she said. Farmers at present

have easy access to fuel and fertiliser, but if there was a shortage of either for very long, minor breeds would come into their own.

Mrs McKenzie has written several letters to newspapers expressing an interest in rare breeds and has received about 60 replies from people throughout the country.

An inaugural meeting to outline the group’s alms is being planned for early next year.

The group could produce a catalogue of rare breeds and provide contacts for people wishing to sell or obtain animals.

Mrs McKenzie said she would also like to promote rare breeds at A. and P. shows using both live and static displays. Approximate numbers of some rare New Zealand breeds include 108 Shropshire sheep, 500 Ryeland sheep, 400 Dorset Horn sheep, 100 Galloway cattle and 250 Belted Galloways.