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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 72

Breeding of the Most Profitable Cattle and Sheep for Freezing Purposes

page 23

Breeding of the Most Profitable Cattle and Sheep for Freezing Purposes.

In introducing this subject for the consideration of this Conference, I propose to treat it under three distinct headings:—

1. What class of mutton and beef brings the highest price in the English market, and is such meat the most profitable that can be produced by the New Zealand farmer? In considering this question it may be convenient first to state certain facts that do not admit of a difference of opinion, and afterwards take those points on which there may be a difference.

It is beyond dispute that comparatively small breeds both of cattle and sheep make the highest price per pound, and therefore we may conclude that it must be the small breeds that will best fufil this condition.

2. What are the Breeds as regards cattle? I submit that there can be but little doubt that the Devons best supply our want. Granting that carcasses weighing from 600 to 750lbs do sell at the highest price per pound, and that when over 800 lbs. there is a progressive relative depreciation, with the increased weight. There is also another strong reason in favour of the Devons, they are more easily kept in high condition until they are fit for killing than any other breed. In this country where stall-feeding cannot be adopted the main qualities of the Hereford and Shorthorn for which they are preferred in England disappear by comparison. The above remarks, if admitted as correct, clearly points to the Devon, also as a most valuable breed for crossing with other breeds. In determining which are the best sheep to breed in New Zealand, we may well go for some assistance to the farmers of Great Britain, and we shall find that the comparatively smaller breeds are leading, especially the Shropshire Downs and the South Downs.

With reference to the Shropshire, a recent writer uses these words, "Tenant-farmers in England have not been slow to discern the rent-paying attributes of the breed;" and "It is an undisputed fact that in the show yard as well as in the sale ring they have, both in numbers and prices, distanced all others." And he goes on to say, "My opinion is that when the true merits of the Shropshire are better known here by page 24 the right stamp of farmers we shall hear less complaints of the frozen mutton, and better prices will be obtained. Consumers do not like your coarse over fat mutton."

You will have noticed the words used by an experienced man in England, that if we send a higher class mutton that "better prices will be obtained," and I would add that the more we send of such the better prices will be realised relatively. The small quantity that has been hitherto sent has not been sufficient to form a leading line, and therefore is lost to a great extent in the general average.

3. What system of breeding is practicable to the New Zealand farmer, that will bring him nearest and most quickly to the desired end—the production of the largest quantity and best quality of mutton for freezing purposes.

As far as the South Island is concerned the Merino ewe must continue to be the basis of our flocks.

We now come to a part of the subject on which there will be a great difference of opinion, and I do not for a moment maintain that any fixed mode of breeding can be devised that will suit all localities and conditions. The object of the discussion of such a subject as this is to enable each farmer to weigh the pros and cons placed before him, and to be the better able to judge for himself.

I will now state briefly the conclusions that I have come to as to the best modes of breeding.

In the South Island I would on the Merino ewe use robust strong-woolled English Leicester rams, and after that on the cross use nothing but Shropshires. "Actions speak louder than words,"—I have used nothing but Shropshire rams since frozen mutton has been exported.

It is a singular fact that there should be such a great variety of opinions amongst practical farmers as to which is the most profitable sheep, and I respectfully submit that I believe it to be caused to a great extent by the mode of thought adopted in thinking on the question. New Zealand farmers appear to me to reason too much from the point "Which sheep will give me the most wool?" The English farmer reasons on the basis, "How much money will be the yield per acre in wool and mutton?"—in other words, which is the best paying breed? Since the price of wool has fallen so low, wool has been of small consideration to the English farmer, and since our page 25 mutton can be exported frozen, wool has become to the New Zealand farmers much less than the main object of production, as it once was.

Too little, I submit, is thought of the drain of a heavy fleece on the constitution of the sheep, especially of young sheep, and there is no doubt in my mind that that is the principal cause of the great mortality of hoggets in the flocks of the North Island.

A further great fact should be duly considered, that early maturity and heavy fleeces cannot under ordinary conditions be found in the same animal, as a consequence, heavy fleeced sheep are too old and too heavy when they become fat enough for freezing. We know now that the best weights for the London market are carcasses weighing from 56lbs. to 64 lbs., and it is a delusion to suppose that as many sheep of the larger breeds can be fed on any farm as of the smaller.

I have not ventured to speak of the advantages or disadvantages of the different pure breeds of sheep specifically, as no doubt this side of the question will be fully discussed from each breeder's point of view. I have tried to keep steadily to the one point submitted to me by your committee, in the question—"Which is the most profitable breed of Cattle and Sheep for Freezing purposes, all points considered?"