QUALITY LAMBS

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3666, 10 February 1940, Page 2

QUALITY LAMBS

MEAT BOARD CHAIRMAN’S ADVICE In an interview today, Mr T. A. Duncan, chairman- of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, said he would like again to stress to the farmers of the Dominion the vital importance of further improving the quality of our lambs. As the mating season is at hand, it is opportune to impress upon- farmers the necessity for using the best rams procurable, thereby maintaining and improving the quality of lamb and mutton exports. Mr Duncan points out that this has particular reference to 'the selection of Southdowns. In the sale of our lambs to the British Government, ’Down carcases in the North Island obtain a premium over ordinary Crossbreds. All ’Down Cross lambs are not, however, eligible for the ’Down grade, on account of poor conformation and breeding. "The selection of good ’Down , s ires,” said Mr Duncan, "crossed with good types of ewes, is in- my opinion, the best way to ensure getting the greatest percentage possible into the ‘Down grade. This, of course, should be coupled with good feeding.” "The premium which this Dominion has always secured in the United ingdom over that obtained by other exporting Countries, is due to quality, and every endeavour must be made to see that this premium is maintained or increased,” concluded the chairman of the Meat Board.