DORSET HORN SHEEP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 24 November 1938, Page 12

DORSET HORN SHEEP

EARLY MATURITY SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA ; An instance of the early maturity of Corset Horn sheep was given recently |in South Australia. Messrs W. S. Kelly i and Sons, the well-known Dorset breed- | ers, of Merrindee. Tarlet, forwarded to l the Adelaide market of 29th June, an (outstanding draft of 86 suckers by Dorset Horn rams out of Dorset-Merino cross-

bred ewes, dropped in April, so that their ages would average approximately only 10 weeks. In the market the whole draft attracted considerable attention for their exceptional sappy quality and early maturity. Fourteen were killed at the abattoirs as the first entry for the all-Australian export competition for 1938-39, Messrs Kelly and Sons thus repeating their last year’s position. The first pen scales 701 b live weight, and the rather wonderful average of 381 b export dressed weights; the second pen 641 b live weight and dressed for export 351 b. The first pen proved too heavy for the competition, which is limited to a maximum of 371 b export weights, but will be sent to Smithfield for exhibition and sale. The whole draft was outstanding for depth of flesh, and displayed remarkable conformity, being low-set and thick, of the true Down type so popular at Smithfield. The lambs received no hard feed in the way of corn or chaff, and before a green shoot appeared at Merrindee their dams were fed on silage, made from a rank crop of “slender thistles” pitted last spring. PAYMENT FOR PIGS SECOND ADVANCE WINTER POOL The New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association has advised its shareholders and suppliers that the usual second advance payment on all pigs handled for the current season to 31st October, will be made at the following rates. These payments are exclusive of share credits and the customary bonus on supply qualified by shares, which will be treated in the usual way in its final accounts to shareholders at the end of the season. Exportable porkers: Up to 801bs lgd per lb, 81 to lOOlbs, Id per lb. 101 to 1201bs, Id per lb. Unexportable porkers: £d per lb; exportable baconers, §d per lb, unexportable baconers id per lb: exportable choppers. Id per lb, unexportable choppers id per lb.—“Taranaki Herald.”