NEW ZEALAND LAMB

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 16

NEW ZEALAND LAMB

Quality Must Be The Aim DR. J. HAMMOND’S LECTURE Dominion Special Service. Feilding, Fcbruaty 2. The interest taken by sheep-farmers in the tour of Dr. John Hammond, D.Sc., the eminent authority on animal nutrition at the Cambridge University, was evidenced by the large number of breeders who attended his lecture at the Feilding showgrounds to-day. there being more than 200 present at the lecture, which took the form of a demonstration on fat lamb carcases. Answering a question as to the position occupied by New Zealand lambs on the London market, Dr. Hammond said that, while it occupied premier place, that was not to sav that it could not go one better. “There was a time.” he said, “«%en New Zealand was so far ahead in quality that there was no need to worry. Competition to-day. however, is far keener, and the gap which formerly existed is gradually closing, so that the New Zealand fat lamb breeder mush now pay closer attention to the quality of bis' produce and improve it. which he can.” ... In the course of his lecture, in which he demonstrated on two lamb carcases, one finished, the other unfinished, Dr. Hammond said the first consideration was weight. The smaller families in England looked for the smaller joints, and consequently this was what the retailer butcher needed. Breeders, on the other hand, were too iuclned to try for heavier weights, but, particularly from a national point of view, he thought it would pay better to concentrate on t lightweight lamb, say, from 28 to 301 b. At the conclusion of his lecture, which contained many useful suggestions, Dr. Hammond said he had noticed, during his short sojourn in New Zealand, that the Romney was developing a shorter cannon bone. This, he thought, was a good point. The Southdown could not be expected to do everything, and the Romney could help by being bred with a shorter leg. NOTED AGRICULTURIST Dr. Hammond’s Visit To Palmerston North Palmerston North, February 2. Arrangements have been completed for the arrival at Palmerston North tomorrow of Dr. John Hammond, D.Sc., chief of the physiology department, Animal Nutrition Institute, at Cambridge University. Dr. Hammond will examine the porkers and baconers exhibited at the recent Palmerston North Royal Show tomorrow morning and arrangements have also been made for him to make the carcase awards. The pork pigs will be judged on the Peterborough system, which is used in England, and the bacon pigs will be cut up and examined in the same way as is done at Smithfield. England. In the afternoon Dr. Hammond will give a public demonstration on the pig classes and will also speak on the quality points of beef and lamb. In the evening Dr. Hammond will give an illustrated address on meat quality and the question of sterility in farm animals, on both of which subjects he is an expert. There will also be a luncheon. Dr. Hammond, who arrived at Palmerston North to-day. spent most of the day at Massey College, studying all branches of sheep, lamb and wool activities.