INFLUENCE OF EARLY RAM

Southland Times, Issue 24000, 15 December 1939, Page 16

INFLUENCE OF EARLY RAM

Splendid Imported

Animal

AMONG the early rams which played a large part in raising the standard of Border Leicester sheep in Southland, none had more influfence than The McGregor, an outstanding sire imported from Scotland in 1896 by the late Mr John McCrostie, of Spar Bush. Mr McCrostie was paying a visit to Scotland when he purchased this ram, with three other sheep, from the stud of Mr William Ferguson,’ of Pickston 'dill. ■

Mr Ferguson would not deliver The McGregor to his new owner until the end of the Scottish show season and so the ram came to New Zealand later than the other sheep. He made the voyage in a crate on the ship’s deck, which nearly proved his undoing, because during a storm he was almost washed overboard. The crate was smashed by a heavy sea, but a member of the crew rescued The McGregor in time. The McGregor was most successful at the stud at Spar Bush. Many South Island breeders sent ewes to be mated with him and rams by him were in keen demand. Because of his excellent conformation and great character The McGregor left his mark on the Border Leicester breed in this part of the Dominion.