FASHIONS CHANGE.

Southland Times, Issue 20171, 6 May 1927, Page 9

FASHIONS CHANGE.

To the Editor. Sir, —I really have no axe to grind, but after a lifelong toil among the various breeds of sheep I am puzzled to know why the average farmer is so much like the sheep in their habits. I refer to the rush there appears to be for Romneys this season. Like sheep, when one starts all seem to rush for the same gap in the hedge regardless whether it is to their real advantage or not. The Romney is admittedly a good kind of an animal, but .he rams of this particular breed have heads something like kerosene tins, and this makes it very unsuitable for obtaining high percentages of lambs, and it is also responsible for an undue mortality among the ewes at lambing time. When I hear of high percentages at lambing time I have made it a point for years to ask what breed of ram was used. In every case but one the reply was, “Oh, Border Leicester, of course.” Now looking at the heads of the two types any observant person can see and understand the point I raise. Then take a line of any breed of ewes and cross them with Leicester sires as against Romney sires, the nett result is much in favour of the Leicester sires by a 100 to the 1000 more lambs and from a 100 to 150 more fat lambs to the 1000, all born the same i month. It is well-known that Romneys are the more predisposed to scald and foot-rot than are the Leicester. Of course I am preferring to sheep kept on grass paddocks, and from my mature experience, except per- i haps that we get more wool from the Rom- I neys, I am satisfied that fashion, prejudice, I and the want of careful observation are curtailing the sheep men’s profits to a much : gaeator degree than he is aware of. Taking J

all things into consideration, Romneys and Merino crosses for cull and flock sheep, but for paddocks as one of the most useful and satisfactory breeds for the Southland farmer who wants profit and quick returns, cross with the Leicester every time, and preferentially with the Romney ewe, when you will have a fine class of ewe hogget to keep. It may strike you, Mr Editor, this is a cheap advt. for Leicesters, but I assure you I don’t breed rams of any kind. I merely write this from my experience and in the interest of those who may not have given the matter serious consideration.—l am, etc., THINK IT OVER FARMERS.