SHEEP-BREEDING INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24791, 16 December 1941, Page 2

SHEEP-BREEDING INDUSTRY

Action is being taken by the Chinese Government to re-establish the sheep breeding industry in that country, and New Zealand's stud sheep breeders are being called upon to supply foundation stock. In earlier days stocks were secured from North America, but now a very large trade is likely to be developed'with the Dominion. The requirements of the Chinese Government for the present consignment are of a rather experimental nature, and stock of the Corriedale, Lincoln, Romney, and merino breeds have been chosen for the initial shipment. Although at first the difficulties of transport looked insurmountable, these were overcome, and in due course the first consignment of stud sheep from New Zealand for Northern China.will make contact with the famous Burma road, up which they travel to their destination—the plateau country of Northern China, which is situated at a level of approximately 6000 to 7000 feet above sea level. Mr Rewi Alley, a New Zealander who is prominent in Chinese affairs to-day, was responsible for persuading the, Chinese Government to seek foundation stock in the Dominion. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Qo., Ltd.'s, stud stock department was responsible for the selection and shipment of the sheep. Among noted , prize-winning sheep which have been nurchased for South America are the first prize four-tooth exhibited by the Bushey Park Estate, Palmerston. and the same .breeders' first prize ra mhogget in the natural condition class and exhibited by Mr D. Johnston, Craigie Lea, Ruapuea. Other rams exhibited by the same flecks were also secured for the same client. - . •. • "