JUDGES' COMMENTS

Chronicle (Levin), 1 February 1947, Page 8

JUDGES' COMMENTS

Grade Dairy Competition in the riiilk classes was poor but the animals exhiibted, particularly the mature cows, were iirst -class, ' said the judge of this section, Mr. A. A. .Johnston, of Massey Agricultural College. Calf classes were strongly 1 fepresented and all entries were of good quality. "It is good to see such I a numher of ^ood quality young stoelc exliibited by such koen young ovvners," was the coiiiment of Mr. Johnston. Ayshires This section was generally well contesteil, there being some quite outstiinding animals and few bad tail ends were fevident, said the judge, Mr. P. Bremer, Waikato. Numerically this section was strouger this year than ever before for the first timo in this district, outnumbering ihe .Terseys. Botii the championn buJl and coiv wt-re spleadid speciniens of their breed, and tiie younger stoelc showed considerable promise. The yeariing calf classes were strongest botli in quality and mnnerically. Mr. Bremer added that he was very pleased with the exhibits generally. Jerseys , IIe would have Jiked to liave seen the aged classes strouger, said Mr. M. J. iSayvvell. The younger classes would hold their own in any show. Tlie junior champion bull showed outslanding breed characteristics. The senior bull displayed more breed character and was better divided than Ihe junior. The champion cow, a three-year-old heifer, lxad a superior udder and reticcted better breed character than the other entrants. The junior champion, a yeariing heifer, was better linished. I'mt the reserve rau very close. I'riesians The judge, Mr. C. W. Humme, said he was pleased to see such a large field in all classes. With the exception of the Iwo-year-olds quality was very pleasing and comparabje with any other show. The champion cow was wonderfully uddered, and possessed plcnty of character. , The champion bull was a (ino dairy tvpe, fit for exliibition at any show. Tlie reserve champion bull also showed promise of developing into a show champion. The younger classes were all very kefcniy eontested. The quality was good and very even. Eafc Lambs All exhibits were outstanding, especially the heavy weight lambs, and - -tt would be hard to find a Better quality, said the jud^e, Mr. II. II. Geison, Feilding. Competition . was lccen aitd tlie higli standard achieved uiade judging difficult. Cheviot All were good Cheviot tvpes, said Mr. Alan Akers, the sheep which seeured tlie first prize being of excelleut quality but was inelined to show a weakness in the back. The wool in most c:tses was inelined to be patchy and thei'e was a general weakness in the back and b'ehind thfe shoulders. Romney Marsh Entries were very good all through, stated Mr. J. II. Rutherford. The champion ram was a sheep of very high standard. The champion ewe was also very good and all entries generally were pleasing. There was evidence of a little luirdness in tlie wool, most of the prize winiiers showing good loclc uiid character. Ile was very gratiiled with the exhibits and indicated that the champion ram was most outstanding and worthy of speeial mention. Southdowns The top sheep in this class was typical of the breed, but in some oi thfe classes the wool was not up to the ptandard of good Southdowns, comrnented Mr. P. D. McLachlan. Otherwise tliey were very, good, but breeders sliouid remember to keep the wool loV and thick. They Were fit for any competition and climatic conditioiis in some districts Md to be brought into consideration. Pigs The jhdgfe of this section, Mr. A. M. O'Sullivaif, said he was very pleased With dll elassfei. Breeders had made a good start after the war and were producing the right pf gig. This yas

particularly evident among the class leaders. Berkshirfes, though lacking in numerical strength, were of exbellent quality. The Tamwofth sows were a particularly good lot. The bodi'S were disappointing, with the exception of the champion which was well up to the standard required by the breeding society. The Large Blacks were also ' lacking in numerical strength aud perhaps in quality, he said. Breeders must realise, he added, that breed character must not be sacrificed. Quite a number of the entries showed a lack of that character in the head, and this deiieiency was carried right throughoiit tlie body. Now that the war was o^fer, breeders must coricentrate on biiildiUg up pig carcases to the required standard, which means light liead, jowl aiid shoulders and more body IehgtK, continued Mr. O 'Sullivan. Breeders ntiist realise, he concluded, that New ^ealand is competing against other co'untries and the only wdy to ertsure sueeess was to produce the article demanded by the consumfer. Porkers aiid. Bacoilers Sows aiid litter entries were small but generally outstaUdihg, sdid the judge, Mr. W. A. Davidson, Rongotea. The sows appeared to be doipg well hnd the litters were good. The pdrkfer class was outstanding. Baconers were not quite so good, being deficient in length and too fat. In the Youiig Farmers ' section, the baconers Were strong but there was no unifofmity. Some were over led and deficient in length. The same applied to porkers in this section. Mr. Daviddon Haid he had no wish to discourage the.yoimg farhiers, but tllOuglit these poirits would be of considerable gUiaaiice ti) ' them in tlie ffittir e.