CHALLENGE FROM TASMANIA

Southland Times, Issue 23502, 7 May 1938, Page 20

CHALLENGE FROM TASMANIA

Production Of Fat Lambs LEADING OTHER PARTS OF AUSTRALIA In the matter of sheep of quality Tasmania has, over a long period of years, possessed a high reputation. This formerly applied mostly to Merino sheep, but latterly attention has been given to other breeds, and before any-, thing was done in regard to the export* of fat lambs a suitable cross was secured, writes P. H. Thurston in The New Zealand Herald. As the English market appears definitely to. favour a lamb of the Down breed type this kind has been largely concentrated on in the selection of rams and the breeds mostly favoured are Southdown, Ryeland, Shropshire, Suffolk and Dorset Horn. Tasmania has splendid opportunities for producing a quality article of standard type by using the Southdown ram, of which there are so many high-class studs in the state. Pastoralists have been impressed with the fact that only purebred rams of the best quality must be used in obtaining lambs suitable for export. There is a slight difference of opinion among them as to the most suitable breed and type of ewe. Many favour the Romney Marsh, but others lean to Leicesters and Corriedales. Whatever the cross decided upon the results so far have been highly satisfactory. Skilled control of the export industry from the outset has prevented lambs of inferior quality being sent away. The opinion in England since the first fat lambs reached there from Tasmania has been highly favourable, and the prices realized have been in excess of returns from exports from other portions of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth veterinary officer in London, Mr. R. P. Allen, in a recent communication, states: “So outstanding in quality are Tasmanian fat lambs which are being supplied to the London market that their identity should not be lost beneath an Empire brand.” Various reports received from the Tasmanian Agent-General in London, indicate that fat lambs from Tas- • mania are highly esteemed by the trade. There is a growing demand for them, and it is only the fact that they are sold under a general Australian brand that prevents a price equalling that for lamb from New Zealand being obtained.

For some time past the Tasmanian Government has been urging orchardists and others on the land, to add the production of fat lambs for export as a sideline to other farming operations. In order to secure the adoption of this recommendation, arrangements have been made to finance farmers who desire to obtain suitable ewes from the mainland, as there is no surplus stock in the state. The money required is advanced by the Agricultural Bank, and during the past few years many ewes have been imported annually, and many pastoralists believe that they will be able to challenge the supremacy of New Zealand lambs in the English market.