The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES" GISBORNE, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1944. SHEEP BREEDING IN N.Z.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21385, 21 April 1944, Page 2

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES" GISBORNE, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1944. SHEEP BREEDING IN N.Z.

One of the most significant statements made in the latest bulletin issued by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce on New Zealand wool reads: ‘‘lt seems likely that the world price of strong wools may fall considerably and breeders may well consider now the possibility of utilising a finer wool ram on their flocks in the near future.” This advice, however, is given with reserve, for it is admitted that forecasts of trends in wool prices are notoriously unreliable, that the effect which a wool-starved Europe will have on prices is not easily predicted and that in the long run there is the probability of increased wool consumption in backward countries to be considered. It is well enough known that the fine wools as a rule bring the highest prices. Even under existing market conditions, the premium paid for the finer wools compensates for an appreciably lower fleece weight, a fact iwhich no doubt influences the policy of many South Island sheepfarmers whose holdings lie in the comparatively dry areas on the lee side of the Alps and in Central Otago. While New Zealand will never be able to rival, any .State in Australia for breeding pure merinos, which furnish only about two per cent of the Dominion’s clip, the next best course is being taken by South Islanders in the growing of Corriedale and half-bred wool. This is frequently used for the manufacture of fabrics that attempt to compete, at a cheaper price, with cloths from the merino. To what extent the cautious advice of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to grow finer wool can be taken throughout New Zealand depends largely on climatic conditions in a country rather noteworthy for atmospheric vagaries. The ground conditions, which decide whether or not foot-rot is likely to develop, are probably an important factor to be considered. No doubt long experience in sheepfarming has given New Zealanders a reliable idea on the course of breeding to pursue. The bulk of the Dominion wool clip comes from sheep of a predominantly Romney strain, and it cannot be denied that the breeding of these animals has been the means of building up one of our most profitable primary industries. Even if the present indications are that war-time demands are falling back to a maintenance level, with the likelihood that stocks of coarse wool will commence to accumulate, it has to be remembered that the uses for the stronger fibre are many and varied and that the major portion of our clip should for ah unlimited period be sought for the manufacture of fabrics where durability and service are the main requirements. The Chamber of Commerce itself states that this conclusion must be considered in planning our sheep breeding and farm management, because it establishes the factor which make for excellence in crossbred wools. In all the circumstances, it might be as well if experiments in the breeding of finer wool sheep in most parts of New Zealand were confined to farmers who feel willing and able to take a certain risk.