THE ROMNEY RAM.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17773, 8 October 1927, Page 13

THE ROMNEY RAM.

The Boston Wool Trade Association has drawn attention to the detrimental effect on wool qualities grown in New Zealand following the indiscriminate use of the Romney ram in breeding, and expressing a preference for the Leicester and Lincoln strains on account of their producing a longer staple and more lustrous and better spinning wool; also drawing attention to the results of using rams suited to produce mutton carcases, the use of some breeds of this description resulting in a tendency to produce black hairs in the fleece of the offspring. The value of the wool in these cases is much depreciated, as it is found impossible to sort out these black hairs. As the American market for New Zealand wool is almost solely confined to special qualities suited for blending purposes and certain specialty work, it was also urged that very careful classing was necessary to meet the requirements. Attention was also drawn to the need for some method of branding sheep with a view to obviating the immense loss suffered from the use of tar and paint for this purpose. It was pointed out by several members that under present-day farming conditions wool was not the only matter which had to be considered, but that it was sometimes more profitable to use those breeds of sheep which gave the best type of lamb and mutton carcase for export. It was generally agreed, however, that it was highly desirable to maintain the quality of wool clips at as high a level as possible. The letter was referred to the council of the Sheepowners’ Federation for consideration at its annual meeting.