SHIPMENT OF STUD SHEEP

Waipa Post, Volume 31, Issue 1766, 5 June 1926, Page 2

SHIPMENT OF STUD SHEEP

TO FALKLAND ISLANDS.

One of the largest and most important consignments of Romney and Corriedale sheep that ever left New Zealand was selected and filled by Messrs Dalgety and Company, Ltd'., Wellington, the valuable shipment going forward by the Tairoa, which left Wellington on 30th March. The shipment was made on behalf of twelve large station owners, and the special instructions received by Messrs Dalgety and Company as to the type of sheep and quality of wool required were given very careful attention when the selections were made.

It is not generally known that sheep farming in the Falkland Islands began as far back as 1864, and during the period l of 62 years which lias now elapsed those engaged in the industry have given their undivided attention to growing and marketing wool. Unfortunately, during the past thirty years the carrying capacity of the islands has shown a sharp decrease, as in 189 S the country was carrying some 807,000 sheep, whereas in 1923 the figures were reduced to 647,085.

Mr Hugh Munro, principal district inspector of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture, who during 1924 made a special visit to the Falkland islands at the request of the British Government, in his report on his investigations made on methods of sheep farming in the islands, blames injudicious burning and' over-stocking for the decreased carrying capacity, and unfortunately the best country seems to have suffered the greatest damage by such methods of farming. It is stated that but few stations are able to rear sufficient young sheep to enable them to cull to a limited extent. for both quality and age, and that on the majority of properties the trouble has reached a stage at which the annual increase is barely sufficient to maintain the flocks without any culling, except for dead old age, while on a few stations that stage has been passed, and sheep must be imported from outside to maintain the flocks. The mortality among sheep under the age of one year is very heavy, the death rate in many instances being as high as 30 per cent. It is hoped that the order just executed by Messrs Dalgety and Company will do much to improve the flocks if the pastoralists who are interested in the consignment, and, although some Falkland islands runholders prefer the Merino and Corriedale to the Romney, it is generally recognised that the latter breed is superior and more

suitable than any other for the climatic and soil conditions of the Falklands. Before this order was finally selected Messrs Dalgety and, Company’s representative visited many well-known flocks in the Wairarapa, Manawatu, and Wanganui disricts, and as heavyboned, large-framed, fine-woolled sheep were specially asked for, a careful individual inspection was made of each sheep purchased. It was unfortunate the selections had to be made so late in the season (February), as many well-known breeders had by then disposed of their best sheep. The difficulty in securing a definite freight was the reason why an earlier selection could not be made. 'Without a doubt the sheep were a very fine lot, being full of character, showing plenty of bone, good carcases, and carrying a remarkably even fleece of fine* quality, as demanded by the twelve different purchasers. The four flock rams purchased l from Mr E. E. Short took first prize at the Feilding show against very strong competition.

Messrs Dalgety and Company have received cabled advice that the sheep reached their destination safely and in good order on the 16th ult. after a good voyage. Later in the year, and from time to time thereafter, Messrs IDalgety and Company will receive advice as to how the sheep are doing on the islands. It is to be hoped that they will do well, as an infusion of new blood seems to be very necessary in the Falkland islands, and with satisfactory results from this shipment large repeat orders are likely to follow.

During January a valuable shipment of 102 Corriedale rams was made by Messrs Dalgety and Company’s Dunedin branch to Punta Arenas, and a repeat order of a further 120 had been booked for next season.