PIHAUTEA ROMNEYS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21038, 14 February 1940, Page 11

PIHAUTEA ROMNEYS

ESTABLISHED NEARLY 75 YEARS

Mr J. C. Bidwill claims to have one of the oldest and largest purebred Romney flocks in New Zealand. It contains two stud flocks and two purebred flocks comprising over 2000 ewes. This flock has been bred to one fixed type for over 70 years. No very coarse or very line rams have ever been used, and the result is that all the sheep are of a very even type, noted for their fine heads and good constitution. Over 600 rams were delivered in 1937 and since that year 700 Pihautea rams have been delivered annually. Practically all of them went to regular clients. Many of these clients have never used any other rams for over 25 years, and one client has two farms and has used only these rams for over 30 years, and nearly always tops the Raetihi and Mangaweka ewe fairs. Three other users of over 25 years always top the Pahiatua, Masterton and Waipukurau ewe fairs. The ability of Pihautea rams to improve flocks was proved by a recent statement by a large and well-known East Coast farmer in the Masterton district. He said that over 20 years ago he was told by his Wellington wool broker that his wool clip was slipping and something should be done about it. He thanked the broker for the information and started buying Pihautea rams, which he has done ever since. Some time later he received a letter from the broker to say that he might be pleased to know that the above clip was the best that they had handled from the Wairarapa. The ewes from this flock have more than once topped the Masterton ewe fair in their respective classes. Part of this clip was sold at the Wellington wool sale and it brought top prices, up to 14d per lb for Romney wool; also a regular client has topped the December Napier wool sale and another came second. Further proof is supplied by the following letter received by Mr Bidwill from one of his oldest clients dated March 3, 1937:

“I was pleased to hear how well your rams did at the ram fair.” “They are good sheep and are generally recognised as such.” “At the Raetihi fair my 4-year ewes topped the fair at Jackson’s yards at 38s lid being the highest price ever given in their yards for 4-year ewes in 40 years’ operations.” “ At Mangaweka fair the five-year ewes topped the sale for that age at 34s 2d. They were sold very late, and the tops had been sold privately.” “In the January wool sale at Wanganui we sold over 150 bales of wool averaging £2B 6s per bale.” “I am glad to be able to tell you this as I am as proud of the sheep as you are yourself.” “Sold all wethers yesterday, in one draft at 275, only 12 being rejected.” The above results are worth all the championships and prizes in New They are £.s.d. facts that come from practical farmers.

100 of these two-shear maiden rams are to be sold at the second Hamilton Ram Fair to be held on Februaiy 23 and buyers are particularly requested to note the above date and. further, to also bear in mind that no “Pihautea” rams will be offered at the first fair which is to be conducted tomorrow.