GISBORNE SHOW LAMBS IN LONDON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20087, 6 November 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

GISBORNE SHOW LAMBS IN LONDON

The Gisborne Show has hnd a great deal to do with the improvement in the quality of the district's fat iambs, which arc reported to have been in high favour on the Smith field market during recent years, the Gisborne Down-cross lamb having proved ilsel! among the best of the North Island consignments, which have received the highest market rates. Gisborne quality, however, was not always in favour, and it is not many years since the district's lambs wore regarded as indifferent. During the past decade, particularly, great progress has been made, the Show export class, providing for judging on the hoof at the Show, on the hooks at

IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY

the Kaiti freezing works, and again at Smithfield. having clone much to draw the attention of fat lamb producers to the ideal for which they were aiming. Reports that have come from London during the past few years have been nothing but gratifying, following the Show and Meat Board displays. The interest which is taken in fat lamb production in the district is .demonstrated in the fact that the Meat Board's district export competition was formulated by a Gisborne farmer. Mr. J. C. Graham. The benefit of the competition was readily realised by the board, who has conducted it ever since, until this year, when the intervention of the war caused the suspension of Smithfield judging. There will also be no London judging in the Show freezing class this year. One of the most interesting features in the fat lamb classes this year will be the class for judging under the block-test system, for which 34 entries have been received. Mr. Graham took a prominent part in having this class included in the schedule in securing Dr. C. P. McMeekan to judge the lambs under the new method, which has never been carried out before in New Zealand Show history. Dr. McMeekan studied under Dr. Hammond, a noted English expert, who evolved the system, and Gisborne lamb producers are looking forward to the new class with more than the usual anticipation.

The public interest should be aroused in this class, also, for on the second day of the Show the winning carcases will be displayed in a glass case on the grounds, while the remainder of the entries will be on show iu the shop of Messrs. Collin. Limited, in town.

It is feared by some that the intervention of the war may cause a little slipping back in the quality of laml:

produced as some farmers have shown some indication of their intention to breed for weight rather than for quality, but Show competition always will tend to steady this movement, and while there are a number in the district always putting quality before

weight, the quality of the stock should be maintained to a reasonable standard, ready for the time when, following the cessation of hostilities. quality should still be of prime importance in maintaining New Zealand's place in the market.