SHEEP-BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 234, 26 June 1908, Page 5

SHEEP-BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Now Zealand sheep-breeders Association (North Island) was held to-day, Mr. G. Wheeler presiding, liiero was a good representation of breeders in attendance. Tlio chairman stated thatany breeder wishing to ship sheep to tho Argentine could obtain all tho information required from the secretary, Mr. Lane. Tho Chairman stated that the question of inspection of sheep was one of great delicacy, as some people resent any interference in regard to the management of their flock. They had considered tlio matter long enough, and it was now time to take action. He thought the host way was to adopt the Victorian rule, and make each man his own inspector. He felt sure that tho careful breeders culled more than 15 per cent., and m doing so provision could be made to exempt in case of importation. He thought that a 10 per cent, limit was a very fair one. Tho recommendation of the Council, as follows, was then read:—"That a circular letter bo sent to all members of the Association this Island, setting forth the views oft.hose who wish to enforco upon careless breeders the culling practised by careful flockmasters in tho maintenance of their stud flocks.j viz., the writing off of a percentage of thoir young ewes, as is insisted upon by the Victorian Association, and ask their approval of aii amendment of the rules to that effect. It has been suggested that this writing off be 10 per cent, of twortooths, as in force in the South Island; also that 5 per' cent, of the older sheep be written' off for death and other causes.

Mr. 'W. C. Buchanan said that the 10 por cent, had caused a considerable amount of dissatisfaction- in the South Island. Ho considered that the matter should receive careful consideration,'and ho did not favour a hard and fast rule in regard to the 10 per cent;, as.in some cases it might be a hardship, ospccially in regard to small flocks. Mr. Wilson said they all agreed that certain culling was nccessary, and they did not want to have indifferent owes thrown into the flock book. Mr. M'Gregor (Masterton) said it was in some cases very difficult to judge what should bo culled out from two-tooths. He did not think the 10 per cent, rule would work. Mr. Rayner (Masterton) said that ill his experience of Lincolns ho had known cases where ho could not cull as two-tooths, and had to leave them until they were fourtooth,. Mr. Percy (Masterton) said that 15 per cent, off a large flock was not a great lot, but if taken off a small flock would certainly bo a hardship. He believed in inspection. In the South' Island experts went round and inspected, and in their rpport. stated that where they had reason to reject tho breeders were only too willing to assist. Ho thought breeders could afford to wait a little longer to see ,how the South Island arrangement worked. Mr. Burrcll asked if thero would be any objection to retaining tho rejected ewes for stock purposes. Tho Chairman: No. ■ The Chairman said that the recommendations were introduced to retain tho confidence of the public, as-the Flock Book had been abused in tho past. The Council's recommendation was then put to the meeting in the form of a motion, which was carried.

A Victorian rule, as follows, was read: — "That owners of registered flocks shall not add more than 80 per cent, to any one year's crop of ewo lambs to their stud flocks, and thoy shall not, in disposing of the 20 per cent, of the.culls, give such a certificate of breeding as would entitle them to be entered in the Flock Book."