SHEEP BREEDING

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1927, Page 12

SHEEP BREEDING

ROMNEY JXFLUEXCK

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

DUXKDTX. Thw Day

It- is reported from Christchurch that at a meeting of the Canterbury Sliccp Owners' Union the Boston Wool Trade Association had written drawing attention to the detrimental effect on the wool qualities grown in Now Zealand following the indiscriminate use of Romncy rains in breeding.

. One of Duncdiiv's leading experts in sheep farming, when consulted on the matter, said that this is but an echo of ths complaints that Bradford had made. The position was that the Komney ram had the advantages of hardiness and ability to withstand wet and cold, as might be "expected,, when one considered that he originated in. the Kentish marshes, but the breed had the disadvantage that, if not carefully bred and culled, there was a tendency to produce what was known as kemp or hair in the progeny. "These, are known facts, and have been the subject of consideration and discussion amongst sheep owners, wool buyers, and others," he said, "but for all that is said against the Romney, he is holding his own, and there are more sheep in JSTew Zealand with Romney blood than any other breed, and it is fairly safe to say it will be so long as this generation lasts. The thing to do is to so .breed and cull as to eliminate or lessen the Romney disadvantage. Many of us hold the view that it is better for the man who • owns a cold and wet farm to take Id or 2d per lb less for his • wool, because of kemp in it, than to go in for sheep that would die before they could be shorn. In my opinion the alleged deterioration in the wool is greatly exaggerated. There is no reason to become panicky, or even timid."