EXPORT LAMBS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 April 1937, Page 8

EXPORT LAMBS

SOUTH ISLAND COMPETITION SMITIIFIELD JUDGES’ HIGH PRAISE COMMENT ON NELSON EXHIBIT The Smithfield judges’ awards in the South Island district export lamb competition promoted by the New Zealand Meat Producers Board have been received. with their detailed reports. Ten districts were represented in this year’s competition, representing an entry of 450 lambs. The Imported Meat Trade Association appointed Messrs D. C. Messent. F. H. Dennison and E. H. Fitter as judges, and their task occupied six Pours.

“In view of the high quality of the lambs which habitually compete in these competitions” they reported, “it has become a commonplace for us to remark that to carry out the judging is an exceedingly difficult job. As the years go on it is, if possible, getting increasingly difficult, as generally speaking, the whole of the lambs put before ns are exceedingly choice well bred lambs.” FOR ENGLISH TRADE Guided by what in their opinion represented the most suitable lamb for the English trade, the judges unanimously agreed in awarding the Board’s silver challenge shield to Eastern Southland. They placed North Otago second. Southland third, and Southland third, and South Canterbury fourth. *

“Competitors will realise” comment the judges, “that in a collection of such magnificent lambs it is only very small points which fault a pen, and that we are frequently obliged to discard a pen which contains two perfect lambs, but is spoilt, by the inclusion of one lamb not up to the standard of the other two. The competing districts this year were very much more even than in any previous South Island competition. That is to say, that no one or two districts stood out well ahead of the others. All of them contained a high proportion of perfect lambs, but we placed them in the above order after carefully weighing the individual merits of each district as a whole.”

The judges’ reports on each district display are as follows: — Mid-Canterbury: The*o lambs, whilst of most desirable build yet as a group showed a distinct tendency to excess of fat on loin, but in conti'ast to this they were fleshy and not excessive in interior waste. The shoulders and legs were lean and plump and the exhibit as a whole—apart from its slight tendency to excess fat—was a very commendable one.

Canterbury North: A group of lambs, which, whilst of attractive size and having well developed and well covered legs, yet contained too many lambs carrying an excess of fat. Quite a proportion of individual lambs were also not up to that ideal of shape and make so conspicuous in other districts.

South' 1 Canterbury: A most attractive exhibit representing lambs of ideal size and of excellent quality. The great improvement in shape and make was pro' nounced, and it was universally conceded that the exhibit as a whole was perhaps the most attractive from the London point of view that this district has entered since the inauguration of the South Island Lamb Competition. NELSON EXHIBIT Nelson: A very creditable group of lambs. If a little heavier than some other districts yet quite fleshy and of excellent quality. It must be emphasised however that it is the small compact carcase to which the London butcher gives preference. Marlborough: A group of very attractive lambs of good shape and make. Generally speaking lean and fleshy and of good quality. Very good butchers meat.

Central Otago: A most interesting exhibit, comprising lambs of excellent quality and of good shape and make. Very fleshy, with no suggestion of excessive fat. A group of lambs which created a very good impression. North Otago: A group of excellent lambs of good shape and comprising a considerable number of carcases of exceptional merit conspicuous for squareness of build and an abundance of flesh.

South Otago: A remarkably even run of lambs of exceptional quality. As a whole the shape and make was of a very high standard. The exhibit may be accuratey described as an exceedingly attractive collection of lambs.

Southland: A group of lambs of high merit. A very even run( fleshy and of excellent quality. Eastern Southland: (Winner of Challenge Shield). A most attractive exhibit, the lambs being of ideal size and build and carrying an abundance of flesh with no internal waste. Ideal butchers meat. INDIVIDUAL PENS A further selection made by the judges was for the purpose of awarding the prizes offered by the Meat Producers’ Board for -the best individual pens of lambs in the competition. The judges state that as usual, they had the greatest difficulty in placing the best three pens in the whole exhibit, but eventually they made the following awards:—

First prize, £ls, Mid-Canterbury, Pen No. 7.

Second prize, £lO, Eastern Southland, Pen No. 38.

Thiid prize, £5, North Canterbury, Pen No. 197.

Highly commended, South Otago, Pen No. 28

The whole exhibit was displayed by Messrs H. S. Fitter and Sons Ltd., on one of the most prominent stalls in Smithfield Market, great interest being taken by both the retail and wholesale sections of the trade.

Among the visitors was the Hon. Walter Nash, Minister of Finance, and Mi' W. J. Jordan, New Zealand High Commissioner. They expressed great pleasure at the fine show and the good attendance of representatives of the meat trade.