FARM AND STATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20002, 29 July 1939, Page 11

FARM AND STATION

RAM FROM SCOT—AND BORDER LEICESTER BREED C 0-MI XLi IAI FOR 'l' AT I 0 X That breeding stud stock has many pitfalls, is made very evident by the recent death of the Border Leicester ram imported from T. and M. Templeton, Kelso. Scotland, by Mr. William Kennedy. Bavswnter, Southland.

Realising that if New Zealnnc. wishes to keep her position in tin. ranks of the Border Leicester breeders and so retain her valuable Australian connection, fiesh blood must be obtained, Mr. Kennedy, at very considerable expense, secured this one-shear ram from the breeders. Even though the ram was given every attention on the voyage and during the customary quarantine period in Sydney, made necessary ov the foot-and-mouth '-estrictions by the New Zealand Government, it. d. not thrive or stand the voyage well On arrival on the home farm, Mr. Kennedy continued the attention, and although he succeeded in using the sheep for the one season, the ram eventually died. This unfortunate happening has not deterred Mr. Kennedy, and he has commissioned Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Company, Ljmitecl, to instruct the manager of their blood and stud stock department, Mr. C. E. Robertson, who is at present in Scotland. to secure the best ram possible. This sheep will arrive in plenty of time for next season, and so will be able to become well acclimatised before he is uesd.

(By '‘The Gleaner”) 11

MEW TRADE DEVELOPED 5 MEAT FROM NORTH ISLAND <-' MRISTCIIURCH DE M AXD k ' Periodically for a number of years, - when the market has been favour--1 able, shipments of live fat cattle have - been brought from the North Island i for disposal at Addington stock sales. This trade lias boon practically nonexistent during the last few years, because of the better outlet in the north caused by the chilled beef industry, ' but in the last month or two there j has been a revival ot the trade in a different form. Instead o.f the live ; cattle being brought down there have been regular shipments of killed beef. These shipments have been arriving regularly twice weekly for about two months, the aggregate weight being about six to seven tons a week, or approximately 20 carcases. Killed in Mamuvatu It is understood' that prime cattle have been bought in the Manawatu district at from .Cl 2 to £l-1 a head, on a basis of about 22s Gd per IOOLb.. the same class of cattle at Addington yards averaging about 40 per 1001 b. The difference in price is stated to cover the cost of freight. The killed beef weighs quite 40 per cent less than the live weight, and this is a consideration in the freight costs. In addition there is no bruising of the killed beef, such as occurs when live cattle are shipped, and, further, there are no losses such as are frequently experienced when live cattle are brought down in rough weather in the small coastal boats. Small Trade So Far The meat is killed in the morning or the previous night, at Palmerston North, shipped by that night's steamer express to Lyttelton, and arrives fresh within 24 hours. The trade, so far, has not reached very large dimensions, but it is understood that up to I()u cattle have been purchased. A continuance of tile trade is dependent on the maintenance of the present prices at Addington, which are the best at this period of the season for some year.-, yr. account of the poor fattening season in Canterbury. A drop of £3 or £4 a head aa. Addington would reduce the margin now available for shippers. A small quantity of mutton has also been shipped from the north.