STUD SHEEP IMPORTED

Waipa Post, Volume 52, Issue 3705, 10 January 1936, Page 12

STUD SHEEP IMPORTED

FROM THE KING’S FARM. CONSIGNMENT OF RAMS FOR DOMINION. One of the largest consignments of British sheep ever to reach New Zealand arrived at Wellington by the Monowai this week. The total was 26 head, all rams for stud breeding purposes, and comprised 23 Southdowns and three Ryelands, the two most popular British breeds of sheep in the Dominion. The major portion of the consignment, .some 19 of the Southdowns and all the Ryelands, were selected in England early last year by Mr George Fawkes', well-known studmaster of * Killeymoon,” Bulls. Mr Fawkes, who was for many years a prominent stud shepherd in England, went Home prior to the last show season with the object of bringing out to New Zealand some of the best rams both of the Southdown and Ryeland breed he could obtain. He made purchases from five different breeders, the largest number coming from the Sandringham flock of His Majesty the King. His Majesty’s flock in the past two seasons has again become particularly prominent, due, Mr Fawkes states, to the use in his stud of a great breeding ram which was twice in succession champion of England. Practically ail of tne rams Mr Fawkes secured trom the King are closely descended from this famous ram, for it is claimed he is the best Southdown yet bred. THE LUTON HOO FLOCK. Six rams were also secured from the Luton Hoo flock of the Lady Ludlow, Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire. This flock is very well known in New Zealand, having previously supplied many sires to this country’s breeders. Five rams were also secured from a flock not well known in the Dominion, that of Mir W. E. H. Hebblethwaite, Upper Gloucestershire. This flock was established some six years ago from the Buckland and Aldenham flocks, which are both well known in New Zealand,' and during the past seven years they have been one of the outstanding flocks in England. Only one ram was secured from the Goodwood stud, established by the late Duke of Richmond, Sussex. This ram is claimed to be one of the best that has left England. Many of the Southdown rams were exhibited at such shows as the English Royal, Sussex, Three Counties, Oxfordshire, and Royal Counties, where they secured many leading honours. In the opinion of leading

English and Australian breeders this shipment is the most outstanding that has ever left Great Britain. The Southdowns represent the best prizewinning strains in England and without exception are practically all sired by the notable champions of the breed. Many of the rams bear a relationship to one another. This is due to the fact that it is quite a common practice .in England for one breeder to lease an outstanding breeding ram from his fellow breeder. RYELANDS IN SHIPMENT. The shipment is completed by three Ryeland rams bred by Mr I. W’. Montague Perkins, Ufton Court, Hereford. In addition to being prize-winners at the Three County Show, the Royal Show of 1935, and the Royal County Show, these rams are all closely descended from Junior, one of the noted prize-winning rams in England. Among his lengthy list of awards is the championship of all breeds. The distribution of such an exceptional lot of Southdowns and ■ Ryelands among the leading breeders of the Dominion should have a great influence on the development of the Southland and Rye.land breed in New Zealand, which are of paramount importance to tlje Dominion’s fat lamb trade. The rams went through a period of three months’ quarantine in Australia, and will now undergo a short period of quarantine in New Zealand. After they are distributed throughout the country no doubt many of these rams will compete at the leading shows next season, when breeders will have an opportunity of seeing for themselves the standard attained in these breeds in England to-day.