LAMB FOR EXPORT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1324, 30 December 1911, Page 6

LAMB FOR EXPORT.

VICTORIAN DEMAND FOR LINCOLNS. Some interesting observations on the subrect of the frozen mutton export business were made to a Dominion - reporter by Mr. J. M. O'Hagan, a representative of W. and R. Fletelicr, Loudon, wholesale and retail Lutchcrs, who run 500 retail shops in England. Ml-. O'Hagan has just returned to New Zealand from a business visit to Sydney and Melbourne, where he has been'superintending operations for the export season. Referring to the lamb trade, he stated, that tliero had been a decided improvement in tho Victorian article, and business was good, but owing to tho indifferent season in New South Wales, consignments from I hat Stuto for overseas had been small. The improvement in the Victorian lamb trade had been mainly brought about through breeding. l'ivo voars ago, said Mr. 0 (lagan, he had suggested that the Victorian sheep farmers shojld not follow up tho English Loiecslers in their crosses with Merinos, but go in for Southdown and Shropshire Down crosses for early lambs, with Border Leicester and Southdown crosses later. Tho English Loieester is ! described by Mr. O'Uagan as a failure in Australia, because its progeny with the Merino cannot stand the heat. The suggestion was followed in Victoria, and now in mauv instances their lamb is equal to, if not'superior to, tho North Island article. In connection with the trade, Mr. O'Hagan is also a firm believer in the worth of the Lincoln in crossing with the Merino in order to get quality for export, and he advocates first a cross. Lincoln ram and Merino, ewe, and then with Southdown, Shropshire Down, and later with Bonier Leicester and Southdown. In Victoria the Border Leicester has proved itself hardy as a lamb, and a. better sheep to "carry over" if not exported, owing to its llcece. Under tho. conditions, mentioned, Victorian farmers arc breeding an ideal lamb for export, that is when provision is mado for "topping off." "Thousands of their lambs now are better than tho North Island productions." Mr. O'Hagan saw a splendid line of 500 lambs in one of the Victorian western ' districts, Liucoln-Morino-Southdown, finished early and slaughtered at fourteen weeks. New Zealand breeders di Lincolns are nwaro (hat there is already a demand for their sheep in Victoria, and this demand, says .Mr. O'Hagan, .is increasing as tho Victoiinn breeders recognise the value and importance, of the Lincoln strain. Another fact, ha continued, not yet properly recognised was that witli the subdivision of large sheep farms in Victoria, the 'new owners were forced to adopt lamb for export as their trade in order to get as quick a return as was possible, from the smaller holdings in order to make them pay. The land could not be cropped every season, as it had to lie fallow every other year, hence the necessity for a loiig-woolled sheep that would produce a Rood lamb for export. Sheep farms in Victoria were being cut up into SAO and 1000 acres, and in some, jiarf.-, ni" the State the' lamb export trade could lie continued all I lie year round. In point of importance regarding the frot'.nn motion trade ill Australia. Mr. O'Hagan places Victoria first, South Australia second, and Ncn- South Wales third.