QUALITY OF LAMBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1940, Page 3

QUALITY OF LAMBS

NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT.

INTERVIEW WITH CHAIRMAN OF MEAT BOARD. (“Times-Age" Special.) WELLINGTON. This Day. In an interview today. Mr T. A. Duncan. Chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, said he would like to again stress to the farmers of the Dominion the vital importance of further improving the quality of our lamb. As the mating season is at hand, it is opportune to impress upon farmers the necessity for using the best rams procurable, thereby' maintaining and improving, the quality of lamb and mutton exports. Mr Duncan pointed out that this has particular reference to the selection of Southdowns. In the sale of our lamb to the British Government Down carcases in the North Island obtain a premium over ordinary Crossbreds. All Down Cross Lambs are not, however, eligible for the Down grade, on account of poor conformation and breeding. "The selection of good Down sires.” said Mr Duncan, "crossed with good types of ewes, is in my opinion, the best way to ensure getting the greatest percentage possible into the Down grade. This, of course, should be coupled with good feeding." The premium which this Dominion has always secured in the United Kingdom over that obtained bj- other exporting countries, is due to quality, and every endeavour must be made to see that this premium is maintained or increased."