UNIQUE SOUTHDOWN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 34, 4 November 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

UNIQUE SOUTHDOWN

Important To New Zealand’s Fat Lamb Trade

BEST CROSS-BREEDING SHEEP

THE Southdown holds a unique position in the sheep world of New Zealand. In mere numbers, the breed is insignificant, there being only a few hundred thousand Southdowns among our 30,000,000 sheep. Yet, for all that, some Southdown blood runs in the veins of about half our sheep. This situation arises from the Southdown ram’s ability as an "improver.” He is the supreme cross-breeding sheep in the Dominion.

THE Southdown takes its name from a chalky hill range in Sussex, known as the South Down.

In its native environment it had a dry, congenial climate, but rather sparse feed; it therefore originated under almost perfect natural sheep conditions. About 150 years ago its improvement was undertaken by a great studmaster, John Ellnian. He is was who laid the foundations of this groat breed—one that has been termed the "father” of the British short-woolled breeds.

In the evolution of the Southdown from a native to a distinguished breed, carcase quality has been the goal. Wool has been a minor consideration, and this is still so to-day. The Southdown is, therefore, a specialised sheep, and, as is usual with a. specialist, its performance is high. Those who developed the breed did their work well, for there is no liner mutton flesh than that produced by Southdowns and none so line in grain. Allied to this high quality, there is also found a high yield. The dressed carcase weight is high and the waste proportionately low. Here is a breed of sheep that, despite many faults, is of great importance to New Zealand. The faults, which would be serious in any other sheep, are: The Southdown gives only a mediocre lambing percentage; the ewes are not. good mothers; on damp or long pastures, it Iweomes unhealthy ; its fleece is not profitable; and it is a readily “east” rlrnep.

The Great Improver.

The Southdown has attained its high position in our pastoral industry because of two great virtues that, far outweigh a greater number of lesser faults. Those good points, carcase quality, already detailed, and quick maturity, are just what is required for our fatlamb production. The union of these qualities, with the Romney ewe’s virtues of good constitution, good mothering and good milking, enables the Dominion to be the great exporter it is, of quality lamb. In passing, full recognition is given to the part played by outline pastures. Although our Southdowns arc not to be numbered in millions, as are other leading breeds, their stud-flock numbers are the second highest. The total is exceeded only by Romneys, and equals that of all the remaining breeds combined. No less than 118,074 Southdowns are entered in the flock book,

compared with Romneys, 178,499; Corriedales, 49,755; and merinos, 25.304.

Not only are the stud Southdown’s numbers great, but so, too, is the number of individual flocks. About a decade ago the demand for rams by fatlamb raisers drove prices to a very high level, which was maintained for several seasons. As a result many fatlamb raisers formed studs of their own, in all parts of the Dominion. The effect was to drive the prices of flock rams to unduly low levels. There was also a loss of average quality, due to many studs being conducted by persons who were not competent studmasters. Why Importations? One does not hear of Romneys or Lincolns being imported to New Zealand, yet both arc of British, or more correctly. English origin. Our Corriedales have been ‘discovered’ and developed by New Zealand studmasters, and have won world-wide recognition as sheep of the highest: quality. These, with our Romneys and Lincolns, readily find a world market on their merits. Why then is it that Southdowns continue to be imported from Home? The breed has long been established in New Zealand, and has been a highly-iiupor-tant one for quite *25 to 30 years. Surely we should by now, be able to provide ourselves with as high quality Southdowns as could be imported. Some authorities assert that there is absolutely no need to import new blood, that we have the quality in the country. Against this assertion must be set the signal success achieved in the sale rings, by those breeders who have imported famed sires from Home. The reply given to this, is that fashion has contributed more to that success than has intrinsic merit.

The point is a debatable one. There can, however, be no question that, if importations are truly necessary, then somewhere our breeding has failed. To blame either soil or climate for any retrogression that may lie is not permissable, for New Zealand provides every type of soil and climate suitable to sheep of the British breeds. We do import Merinos, apparently of clear necessity, but they are a sheep of semidesert origin. If importations are really required, then those who bring them in are performing a valuable, national service. Even though the quality of the imported animals betters our own by as little as 5 per cent., then by all means let us have that 5 per cent. gain. We have to compete with keen rivals. Should the inquiry for imported

strains be only a whim of fashion, however,, it is to be deprecated. The subject is recognised as highly controversial, but that is no honest reason why it should be hidden.. The question is an important one, and the more it is discussed the sooner will it be cleared up, in the best interests of our fat lamb trade.