SHEEP OF HIGH STANDARD

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 6

SHEEP OF HIGH STANDARD

GOOD ENTRIES IN MOST CLASSES Southland has established a good reputation for the quality of its fat lambs and sheep, and this reputation was upheld yesterday. Good entries, were received in most sections and the judges praised the exhibitors for the way in which the entries were brought out. There were no entries in either the English Leicester or Suffolk sections. The judge of the Dorset Horns, Ryelands and Shropshires (Mr J. J. McCrostie, Invercargill) stated that the Dorset Horns were the strongest class of the three. The entries were bigger than last year’s, indicating that the breed was becoming established. There was a wide diversity of types and the exhibits were well brought out, especially the older sheep. The champion ram was outstanding and it possessed a great fleece of typical wool. Tile Ryelands generally, although the entry was smaller, were better as a class than the Dorset Horns and they were also well brought out. STANDARD OF SHROPSHIRES

The entry of Shropshires was disappointing, but the sheep forward were of a high standard and typical of the breed. The entries in the Border Leicester class were comparatively small, but the standard was also high. The Southdowns were a strong class and some unusually high quality sheep were exhibited. High praise for the fat lambs exhibited was expressed by the judge (Mr J. C. Miller, Otautau). The entries were slightly smaller than that of last year, but the high quality of previous shows was well maintained, he said. He paid a warm tribute to the winner of the class for 10 crossbred lambs, Mr G. Gray, Wallacetown. The 10 lambs exhibited by Mr Gray were, he said, of unusually high quality and would be fit to compete anywhere. The judge of the Romney ewes (Mr J. A. Miller (Maungatua) stated that although the entries in the clothed sections were not large, the quality was high. The champion ewe was a heavywoolled animal with a good lock. There was also a small entry in the unclothed classes, but there were some outstanding specimens, especially in the class for ewes under 18 months. ROMNEY RAMS

The judge of the Romney rams (Mr M. Kirkpatrick, Gore-Waikaka R.D.) said that the class was generally good and as a wartime effort on the part of breeders it was commendable. The champion ram was a good all-round sheep, the head, carcass and fleece being particularly good. The reserve champion sheep was of good quality and showed careful breeding. It had an excellent head covering, as its fleece was good and the conformation fair. Most of the placed hoggets were exceptionally good, stated the judge of the crossbreds (Mr J. M. Watson, Inivercargill). It was the best entry for i several years and the quality was uniformly high. In the fine wool classes I the wool of the entries was a little | strong for the class. | CATTLE^CLASSES RESTRICTED BREEDERS MAINTAIN HIGH QUALITY Cattle were exhibited at the show for the first time since 1941 and the standard of the exhibits forward showed that the standard had been well maintained. The entries totalled 42. Most of the exhibits were yearlings and the judges stated that the prize-winners were of high quality. The Jerseys formed the strongest section and competition was keen. The section was restricted to three yearling classes and good entries were received. The judge, Mr J. Hellyer, of Dunedin, was favourably impressed with the quality of the exhibits. The champion bull was exhibited by the prominent Winton breeders J. G. Pullar and Sons, and the judge stated that it was a well-grown animal. The champion female, which was exhibited by Mr F. Woodfield, Invercargill, was also well-grown and showed good breeding. There were only two entries in the crossbred cattle. The principal exhibitors in the fat cattle classes were J. A. Stirling and Son and W. B. Whyte. SMALL ENTRY OF FRIESIANS There was only a small entry in the Friesian section, and the judge, Mr R. S. Tait (Greenhills), said the quality was fairly good. The champion female, a yealing heifer, which was exhibited by G. and A. Dickson, was a splendid show animal and brought out in wonderful condition. It was the outstanding exhibit in the section. The champion bull, which was exhibited by W. Y. Dickie and Sons, was also of high quality. Although it was the first time that Friesians had been shown at Invercargill for two years the section was an indication that the high quality had ben maintained. Competition was limited in the Ayrshire section, there being only one entry in each class. The champion bull was a good type and should develop upon reaching maturity, according to the judge, Mr D. Caldwell, Edendale. The Red Polls were a fair class. Competition here was also limited, there being only two exhibits. The winning heifer in the Milking Shorthorn class should develop into a good type of dairy cow, in the opinion of the judge. Only two Milking Shorthorns were represented.