TYPE OF SHEEP.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18848, 10 April 1931, Page 11

TYPE OF SHEEP.

OPINIONS ON THE BREEDS. I think it is always interesting to note the trend of opinion among sheepfarmers, as displayed in their purchases at the ram fair, as indicating the type or breed of ram they think is likely to produce the most profitable lamb, writes “H.8.T.” in the “New Zealand Herald.” Some 12 or 15 years ago farmers used to bunch round the pens of Lincolns murmuring catch-words of the moment, such as ‘“These are the boys to fill the bales,” or “we must put weight into the wool.” These, of course, were the times when coarse wool was in keen demand, and the sad thing about it was that the ram-buyers referred to had so little vision or knowledge that they thought only of the price per pound or the number of pounds of wool per sheep. As the years have passed it gradually dawned on many wool-growers that Lincoln rams, in common with other breeds, had their limitations, or possibly that the country, which once supported Lincolns profitably would no longer do so. Then came the day of the Romney Marsh, a hardier type, which blended well with the Lincoln ewes, and the North Island gradually adopted the Romney-Lincoln cross type which, while it has many good qualities to recommend it, is certainly not ideal for all types and qualities of land. Fat Lamb Ousts Wool. To-day, with even the finest wools at an unprofitable figure, and the demand for lamb showing a considerable if fluctuating increase in consumption on the Home market, the popular fancy has swung away from wool, and nine out of ten farmers are concentrating almost solely on the production of fat lambs, which entails the use of Down rams. Far be it from me to disparage the breed which has probably done more than any other of late years to fill the coffers of the farmers, but it must be remembered that the Southdown, and other purely mutton breeds, also have their limitations, and that it is a foolish policy to neglect the development of a flock of long-wools. Though the fat lamb business ■wall continue to grow in importance, wool will remain the foundation of the farmers’ prosperity. I have pointed out that, from season to season, the majority of sheepfarmers have followed the popular fancy in rams rather than formulated an ideal suited to their own country. If each farmer looked on his farm as a unit entirely independent of the rest of New Zealand, and uninfluenced by the opinions of neighbours, decided on the type of sheep which was found by experience to thrive best on his country, sheepfarming would be a much more profitable occupation for the average man. The Type to Breed. The present season, where the pastures of Hawke’s Bay are withered under the burning westerly gales, should be a good one to point out to even the most unskilled farmer the type of sheep which best suit his country. He cannot fail to see that, while some sheep wilt and perhaps die under the hard conditions, others, if they do not actually thrive, at least remain strong and keep in fair condition. These sheep, it will be noticed, have distinct characteristics, varying, of course, with the breed and type of country on which they are grazed, but in several essentials they will all resemble each other. They will all be found to be short-legged, broad between the eyes, short from poll to snout, with prominent eyes, wide across the muzzle with open nostrils, the general appearance of the head being short, broad and with an alert look. The shoulders will be wide apart, with the brisket wide and deep, giving that appearance of shortness of leg and compact build which so takes the eye of every true sheepman. Indications of Constitution. If these characteristics are general among sheep which thrive under adverse conditions, there surely must be some connection between these features and profit, for profit depends on healthy, vigorous stock, whether they be kept for wool or meat production. These are the points which indicate constitution. . , The first essential to successful Bheepfarming is constitution. Yet, how often is it neglected by the ram buyer as he pokes his prospective purchases round the pen, examining 1 every feature of the wool to see that it is of the type in demand at the moment, while the sheep which carries it may possibly not survive more than 12 months on the country for which it is destined? ; Let constitution be every farmer’s first aim. Fonwdng ths-t, uniformity of type and wool should be sought, and success is bound to follow.