PEDIGREE SHEEP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1938, Page 3

PEDIGREE SHEEP

SHIPMENT TO SOUTH AMERICA HIGH CLASS ANIMALS FROM MASTERTON One of the first shipments of New Zealand pedigree stock to South American-States this season was completed when the Raranga sailed from Wellington last week. There were about 150 New Zealand pedigree sheep on board, the consignment including Corriedale, Romney Marsh, Southdown and Lincoln Sheep. That the demand for New Zealand sheep in Uruguay and Argentina is sustained is clearly shown by the number of sheep which go forward each year in fulfilment of orders received, and also for sale at public auction. Included in this valuable shipment consigned by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Limited, to their agents in Argentina were 17 pedigree Lincoln rams from the two well-known Masterton breeders, Messrs Wm Rayner and L. R. Wilton. These were outstanding sheep, probably some of the best pedigree Lincolns to have been been exported to the Argentina from New Zealand. Rising two shear sheep they included prize winners at the recent Royal Show, and also local Shows. These animals are of the New Zealand type, stylish, low set to the ground, covered with heavy fleeces of quality wool; the class of sire which finds distinct favour amongst the breeders in Argentina. Mr Rayner also forwarded two pedigree Corriedale, and three pedigree Romney Marsh rams, which should meet with a keen demand when offered for sale. The well-known Canterbury breeders, Messrs D. and M. Sidey and Sons, shipped a pair of outstanding two shear, low set, exceptionally well-wooled Corriedale sires. Both these sheep were prize winners at the Christchurch Metropolitan and Hawarden Shows and should prove of great value to their ultimate purchasers. Two Marlborough breeders who shipped sheep to South America for; the first time are Mr W. Bishell, who forwarded three particularly attractive Lincoln rams which, although younger than the others forwarded, should develop into outstanding sires; and Mr J. F. Neal, who has sent an attractive young Corriedale ram, which should be accepted favourably. This is a sheep covered with a dense fleece of soft handling, well crimped wool, covered right over the points and down to the hoofs. Argentina is today, the second largest of the Latin American Republics, having an area of some ■1,140,000 square miles. Primarily an agricultural country, mainly owing to the fact that it lies almost entirely in the temperate zone, it embraces within its boundaries one of the most fertile areas in the world known as the “pampas”; live stock raising is the second most important industry. As in all primary producing countries including New Zealand, the wealth of the state and the income of the people rises and falls with the ups and downs of the world’s market for agricultural produce, for Argentina, like ourselves, does not consume all her primary products, but exports a large portion—be-

tween seventy and eighty per cent—to the world’s markets. It should, be somewhat gratifying to New Zealand studmasters to know that their efforts as breeders are appreciated in the Argentina and other overseas countries. If they are to maintain their valuable export markets it rests solely with themselves, and the respective Breed Societies to ensure that no sheep are exported which are likely in any wpy to prejudice the high standing of New Zealand pedigree stock abroad.