FLOCK BUILDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 16

FLOCK BUILDING

ADVICE TO BEGINNERS In a recent address delivered before the National Sheepbreeders' .Association (England) Mr. John Langmead, a leading Southdown flockmaster, and a recognised authority on sheepbrecding, gave some valuable advice to beginners. " There are certain points to be observed in all classes of flocks," he said, " namely, in establishing a flock ono should have recourso only to the best and purest of stock. The foundation is everything, for while it in Ay be improved upon as time goes on, yet great care should be exercised to start off with sheep, both male and female, of the correct type. " Even then the flockmastor should aim at improvement, which can only be donq by careful selection <?[ sires from timo to time, and by drafting only the best young ewes into the flock each year. Practical experience has taught me that the best way is either to secure as many sheep as possible from a leading flockmaster or by attending the leading sales of the particular breed chosen, and then to purchase ewes of as near as possible the samo type, and on such a foundation, by careful selection and culling of the offspring and by the use of specially selected rams, thus to build up a flock. It may take many years, but the results are generally more satisfactory to the flockmaster than if lie has bought some flock in its entirety. " I must emphasise that rams aro half the flock, and many flockmasters aro not careful enough in their selection. Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of this point. Then the fleeco must be carefully examined, for good wool means good flesh, the colour must be right, and the sheep must come up to a high standard of excellence, for it must lie remembered that while a ewe will stamp her qualities on one or two lambs a year, the ram will influence a great number, and those ewe lambs he sires to-day will be the future breeding stock of the flock. It is important that well-fleshed with a good leg, scrag and loin, and carrying a good fleece, are most essential even if only used for crossbreeding."