Riding magazine released Cashmere fleece contest popular

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 14, 1 September 1987, Page 10

Riding magazine released Cashmere fleece contest popular

Waimarino horse enthusiasts can look forward to the new equestrian magazine 'Hoofprint' which will be appearing in bookshops nation wide in September. According to its Turangi publishers Pukawa Press, the monthly magazine will! be a glossy upmarket product and the "best non-rac-

ing horse publication of its type in the country." Editor Anna Granger says Hoofprint will cover all aspects of the rapidly growing field of horse 'sports both western and traditional and is confident ihat enthusiasts of all ages and. disciplines will welcome its arrival.

Over 300 entries have been received in the 1987 Wrightson National Cashmere Fleece Contest. This is more than one and a half times the number of entries in last year's inaugural competition.

"The increased grower support highlights increasing confidence in the future of cashmere production," said Wrightson Dalgety General Manager Wool, Mr Allan Sturzaker. "The contest provides a way for producers to measure their skill in picking the top animals in the herd and gives the breeder the incentive to performancerecord their flocks," he said. "This year we are following the Australian system of having the fleece

visually classified prior to testing" said Mr Sturzaker. The commercial value of each fleece will be assessed on the basis of quantity of cashmere, fibre diameter and colour, with testing carried out at MAF's new Fibre Testing Centre at Whatawhata. The minimum required number of entries was met in all classes except the open class for wethers in which there were no entries. The fleece with the highest commercial value and the most valuable fleece

under 16.5 microns will receive trophies. This year's contest introduces a trophy for the three most valuable fleeces under 16.5 microns to recognise and encourage the producers of fine fleeces in the hosiery grade. Two other category winners receive trophies while certificates will be awarded to first, second and third prize in each class. Fleece may be submitted any time prior to 16 October 1987, and the results will be announced at next year's CAPRONZ Annual Conference.