EXPORT LAMBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1939, Page 4

EXPORT LAMBS

NORTH ISLAND COMPETITION REPORTS OF SMITHFIELD JUDGES. WAIRARAPA’S SUCCESS. The Smithfield judges’ reports on the North Island district export lamb competition annually promoted by the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board have been received, and their detailed comment on the entries proves the value of this competition in maintaining a high standard most suitable for the export trade. No fewer than 495 lambs from eleven districts were entered, and all were displayed on one of Smithfield’s most prominent stalls, great interest being taken by the trade. The High Commissioner for New x Zealand, Mr W. J. Jordan, who usually visits the display, was absent on this occasion at Geneva. The judges appointed by the Imported Meat Trade Association were Messrs F. H. Dennison, G. F. Way, and C. Woodward. It will be a matter of regret to many New Zealand producers who have appreciated the past services of Mr Daniel Messent in connection with this competition to hear that he djed suddenly a few weeks before the North Island annual display. Mr Messent had acted on many occasions as chief judge of the district lamb competition. The work of judging commenced at 5 a.m., and was not completed until 11 o’clock. Examining the entries from the viewpoint of the most suitable lambs for the English market, the judges unanimously gave their award for the best district display as a whole to Wairarapa, which thus won the Board’s silver challenge shield for the fifth time out of the eight occasions on which the competition has been held.«Feilding district was placed second, Waikato third and Manawatu fourth.

Another feature of the competition is. the selection of the best three pens from the eleven districts, which had each submitted 15 pens of three lambs each. “In a total entry of 495 lambs,” reported the judges, “it will be appreciated that 'the selection of the best three pens in the whole exhibit was a very difficult undertaking. By a system of elimination we first unanimously determined the best three pens in each district, and from these placed the following pens in the order given for the three cash prizes to joe awarded to the best three pens in the whole exhibit: Ist prize (£l5), Waikato Pen No 316; 2nd prize (£10), Feilding Pen No 51; 3rd prize (£5), Wairarapa Pen No 17; Highly Commended, Wanganui Pen No 46.

The judges’ comment on the winning pen indicates the experts’ view of the requirements of the export market: “Three perfect lambs. Square, well built up, full of meat of excellent quality with no waste. Short plump legs and shoulders and level loins. First class butcher’s meat.” REPORTS ON DISTRICTS. The judges have submitted detailed reports on the entries from the eleven competing districts, and while they repeat former years’ views regarding the general excellence of the New Zealand product, they usefully call attention to any points,which tend to lessen the attractiveness of the lamb carcase for this trade. They mention that many of the individual lambs were inclined to be on the heavy side, carrying an excess of fat. “Fat in excess” the judges pointed out, "is unprofitable to the retailer as it means a good deal of trimming for which he obtains practically no. return.” Commenting on the Wairarapa district display, the judges stated: “A grand exhibit of well built up lambs of splendid quality and condition with short plump legs and shoulders and level back. Very useful butchers’ meat. We experienced no difficulty in awarding the shield to this group, which was outstanding.” The entries of this competition are also judged in New Zealand, when interesting field days are organised by the Agricultural and Pastorial associations, and are largely attended by the producers. To stimulate this aspect of the competition the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board 'allocates £lO for each district entry, which is awarded by the local A. and P. Association as it thinks best. The results of the judging on the hooks in New Zealand are brought to-the notice of the Smithfield judges, who give their independ-, ent verdict, and submit reasons when they differ from the New Zealand conclusions. This useful comment is being submitted to the Agricultural and Pastoral associations. The owners of the best 15 pens from each district, selected for the export competition, received diplomas from the board.