MERINO STUD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27568, 9 December 1950, Page 3

MERINO STUD

Former Dunedin Man’s Success

WOOL SALE RECORDS A former Dunedin man gained the top prices and set fresh New Zealand records with his wool at the Christchurch auction sale this week. He is Mr J. Morton Samson, of the Lansdowne merino stud, Wairau Valley, Marlborough. He is at present visiting his parents, Mr and Mrs J- M. Samson, of St. Clair. The new Dominion record price of 151 id was paid for six bales of Mr Samson’s merino- wool. Three lots totalling 23 bales, made 150£d, 6 bales (merino hogget) realised 148 d, 5 140 d, and 7 136 id. His 11 bales of pieces brought 115 d, 5 bales of bellies sold for 88£d, and 5 bales of locks commanded 66JdAn experienced sheep farmer, Mr Samson took over the Lansdowne stud after his return from service in the Second World War. The latest official publication of the Massey College Wool Association says of Mr Samson: “He has a keen appreciation of the problems confronting the high land grazier—he has a background of highcountry experience, and the vision and rugged individualistic character of that distinctive breed, the high-country sheep man. He is a merino man—his business is his hobby—and by applying himself with such zest to the task of merino improvement, he is helping to maintain and increase production on those extensive areas where the merino is the only breed that can possibly thrive.” . . The Lansdowne merinos are not the small, wrinkly variety, but are big, bold sheep. The altitude of the Lansdowne stud ranges from 800 ft to 2500 ft above sea level. Mr Samson supplies 400 stud merino rams each year to the high-country stations in the South Island, and most of them go to the Mackenzie Country in South Canterbury. Before the embargo, a number of Lansdowne merinos went to American agricultural university farms. Six rams were recently sent to Wentworth, New South Wales. The main purpose of this move was to discover whether further importations of Australian sires were necessary; in other ' words, whether or not Lansdowne and New Zealand-bred sire# have reached a standard- of excellence comparable with their Australian counterparts. In order to achieve his primary aim, continuing improvement and satisfying clients, Mr Samson has put into practice a method of progeny-testing, which involves a most complete recording system covering the entire flock. Although he aims to satisfy high-country needs rather than the judges ip the show ring, Mr Samson has taken about 50 show awards in the past two years, including two grand championships.