ROMNEY SHEEP

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1926, Page 4

ROMNEY SHEEP

GROWTH Of BREED IN DOMINION. PALM ERSTO.N V. June !7. •‘That some of our Romney wool is not what it, should he I freelv .idmit,” said Mr.], E. Hewitt, president (Baunevirke). at the annual meeting of I h e Now Zealand Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders’ Association to-day, "l.mi the best wool that is produced in New Zeeiind to-day is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. and i make that •statement without any tear of roiitradii tion." The speaker protended to quote hgurrs showing the growth of the Romney breed in New Zealand and the sheep sold for rxnnrl. The figures show a great increase. The speaker saw no reason why def ,, ( Is in crossbred wool caused by hair in the woolfibre. for which Air Aekrovd had blamed the Romney, but which investigation proved e.-mmon to all breeds, should not eventually he bred out. "While ever keeping in front the absolute, necessity of maintaining the true Romney type, ehiraeter and nmst itu tion,” said the presidenl, “we must emloavour to improve the quality of the wool and carcases. Enormous strides have been made in this direction in the past, Init there is still room for improvement. Increased quality ill wool means that we shall not only breed a wool that will lie more valuable per pound, but we shall have more weight pier fleece, because without, quality one will never get ihc maximum weight. Increased quality in the carcase means that our sheer, will lie;ome more valuable to the butcher, and a greater percentage of flesh will he produced to hone and niTM. If we work on. these, lines I believe that the Romney will not only hold, but that it ill improve tbo jjositiort that it has in the sheep world of this Dominion, and that it will become an even more valuable sheep to the sheep farmer of this country in the future than it has been in the past.”