Sheep World in Australia

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 2

Sheep World in Australia

BIG TRADE WITH NEW ZEALAND Quite recently a world’s record price of 1000 guineas was paid by an Australian sheep breeder for a New Zea-land-bred Corriedale ram. Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., now announce a long list of important sales of stud sheep of various breeds to that country. Many of these purchases were made by the recent party of Australian breeders who paid a visit of inspection here under the auspices of the New South Wales Government sheep expert, Mr. Jas. Daley. The latter purchased two outstanding Corriedale rams from Mr. James Reid, Darfield, for Mr. Cam Nixon, Hazelwood, Reefton, N.S.W., at prices ranging up to 275gn5., and from Mr. A. E. Cross, Rangiora, one of his Corriedale sires and 21 ewe hoggets on account of Mr. Ron Tr.escowthiek, Wokolena, Wagga. Mr. Daley also purchased from Mr- R. W. Matthews, Waiorongomai, two outstanding Romney rams for Mr. J. Robinson, Kimo Station, Gundagai, at prices ranging up to 250gns., and for the same breeder, 15 stud one-shear ewes; from Mr. A. L. Wheeler, Leedstown, Marton, Mr. Daley secured two first-class Romney rams for Mr. O. M. Lodge, Blowering Station, Tumut, N.S.W.; from Mr. J. G. Alexander, Cranleigh, Maxwell, an excellent ram for Mr- J. Robinson at a three-figure price, and from Mr. D. Kilgour, Mataiawa, Feilding, a good ram for Mr. O. M. Lodge. Mr. Basil Wilson, Tenandra Park, Gundagai, who was making his first visit to New Zealand, although he has been importing rams from Alloa for many years, paid Messrs J. G. and I. R. Donald, Alloa, Featherston, 250gns. for a top ram hogget. Mr. Fred Griffith, who was also making his first visit to the Dominion, purchased from Sir William Perry, Penrose, Masterton, two top ram hoggets at 200gns. and 250gns. for Messrs F. C. and N. L. Griffith, Toonailook, Albury, N.S.W., and these breeders also secured 30 stud ewes from Mr. H. B. Johnston, Karaano, Feilding, and booked further lots for delivery in 1945 and 1946. Mr. Basil Wilson also made a.further purchase of a top stud ram from Penrose. Mr. J. Daley also secured a top Southdown ram hogget from Mr. James Knight, Matatua, Feilding, for Mr. R. B. Scott, Kia Ora, Munyalba, N.S-W., and a similar ram from Sir William Perry for the same breeder. The visiting Australian breeders who made a very rapid tour of leading Dominion flocks were very much impressed with the standard of the Dominion’s stud flocks.

Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., also advise the sale of two top Bushey Park Southdown rams, bred by the Estate of J. A. Johnstone, Bushey, Palmerston North, for export to Australia. These are full of imported blood, as no fewer than five imported sires have been used in the flock. Messrs H. Badcock and Son, Hagley, Tasmania, paid 150gns. for an outstanding ram of the true English type sired by Head Hone Reformer. Another ram from this stud sold at a threefigure price went to Mr. A. Stevenson, of Victoria. This was a son of Sandringham 3/36. From Mr. Donald Grant’s noted Border Leicester Stud at Elloughton Grange, Timaru, three splendid one-shear rams were selected on behalf of Mr. D. L. Cowdery, Daymar, Quirindi, Victoria. An outstanding two-shear Corriedale ram was recently selected from the Hui Hui Stud of the Estate of H. T. Little, Hawarden, and sold to Mr. E. W. Prowse, West Australia, at 200gns., and a one-shear top Corriedale ram from the same stud was shipped to the Estate of the late M. A. McCabe, West Australia. From Mr. H. C. Bavley-Withell’s noted Ryeland Stud at Ealing, South Canterbury, two outstanding ram hoggets were selected for shipment to Mr. A. L. Dehnert, Victoria, and six stud Cheviot ewes were secured from Mr. A. Bryant, Manakau, on behalf of Mr. C. D. McDonald, Victoria. The development of a demand in Australia for Cheviot sheep is of great interest. On second and third class land this breed is going to play an important part. The demand for Romney sheep is coming from all parts of Australia. Recenaly an outstanding Romney one-shear ram was secured from Estate late D. Robertson, Kelso, Otago, at a three-figure price on behalf of Colonel Ryan, a Victorian breeder, and a further order has now been received for another ram from the same stud. Two splendid types of Romney one-shcar rams were also selected from Messrs Chartres Bros., Mossburn, on behalf of Ruddick Pty. Ltd-, Melbourne, and these are sheep which are sure to leave a good impression. The demand for good sheep of the British breeds as bred in New Zealand is a steadily expanding and very welcome one at the present time in view of the adverse balance of trade position existing with Australia.