Famous Sheep Breeds. 6. the Southdown
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Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Volume 1 Number 8 August, 1960 Article 4 1-1-1960 Famous sheep breeds. 6. The southdown J A. Mallett Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4 Part of the Genetics Commons, and the Sheep and Goat Science Commons Recommended Citation Mallett, J A. (1960) "Famous sheep breeds. 6. The southdown," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 1 : No. 8 , Article 4. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol1/iss8/4 This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The champion Southdown ram at the 1959 Perth Royal Show, exhibited by R. A. Hughes of the I Cluden Newy Stud, Longford. Tasmania wm The champion Southdown ewe at the 1959 Perth Roval Show, exhibited bv M K Reynolds. Meckerlng Journal of Agriculture Vol 1 No 8 1960 ^ramoud ^tteep m AjteecL 6.-THE SOUTHDOWN by J. A. MALLETT HE chunky, low-set, meaty-carcassed Southdown is a popular breed wherever prime T mutton and lamb are appreciated. Just as the Dishley Leicester was used to im prove most of the British longwool breeds, so an infusion of Southdown blood has benefited the majority of the British shortwool sheep whose main role is meat produc tion. Like most of our British breeds, the Although the Southdown is primarily a precise origin of the Southdown is largely meat breed, Ellman paid considerable at a matter of conjecture. The breed takes tention to fleece improvement, as he main its name from the South Downs, a range tained that good fleeces made the sheep of chalky hills extending across several better able to withstand the bleak winters. counties In southern England—hills which His argument was that a well-covered are noted for their short, sweet grasses, sheep was more comfortable, was a better but which, because of their exposure to feeder and a better meat-producer. the bleak winds from the English Channel The Glynde sheep had heavier fleeces during the winter periods, tended to than their unimproved contemporaries, develop hardy breeds of livestock. had better carcass conformation and The man whose breed improvement matured earlier. methods were largely responsible for the Apart from his shr p-breeding activities, near-perfection of the present-day South John Ellman achieved fame as a successful down was John Ellman of Glynde Farm, breeder and exhibitor of Sussex cattle. He Sussex. won many awards for farming, became a Ellman, who was born in 1753, took over Deputy-Lieutenant for the county and re the management of his father's farm in fused offers of a baronetcy and later a 1780 and almost immediately commenced peerage. to improve the local sheep. These were described as being of the "common heath A "GENTLEMAN'S SHEEP" type"—long-legged, slender-boned, light- As a result of the tremendous improve shouldered animals with speckled faces. ment wrought by Ellman, the South Unlike Robert Bakewell, who had already down achieved tremendous popularity and improved the Leicester sheep, Ellman seems Glynde rams and ewes brought high prices. to have been opposed to close inbreeding, Members of the nobility and even Royalty but practised careful selection and rigorous were keen buyers and the Southdown became known as the "gentleman's sheep" culling to obtain the type of animal he r had in mind. as it was ideally suited to park lif , and 689 Journal of Agriculture Vol 1 No 8 1960 produced mutton of a particularly high Face—Full, not too long from the eyes quality. The list of Southdown breeders to the nose, and of one even mouse-colour, in those days reads like a page from not approaching black or speckled; under- Debrett—and it is worth mentioning that jaw lighter in colour. the noted agriculturist, Coke of Holkham, Eyes—Large, bright and prominent. bought 80 Glynde ewes in 1793. Ears—Of medium size and covered with Ellman's work was ably carried on by short wool. later breeders, notably Jonas Webb of Babraham who introduced the breed into Neck—Wide at the base, strong and well Cambridgeshire and took many of the set into the shoulders; throat clean. principal prizes at Britain's most famous Shoulders—Well-set and top level with shows in the "forties" of last century. the back. No depression behind blades. Webb exhibited Southdowns at a great Chest—Wide and deep. Parisian international show held.under the Back—Level, with a wide, flat loin, and auspices of Napoleon HI and it is said well covered with firm flesh. Compact in that the Emperor paused to admire these appearance. sheep and asked whose they were. Ribs—Well-sprung, and well ribbed up, "Yours, if you will accept them, your thick through the heart, with fore and Majesty," said Webb, who was standing hind flanks fully developed. nearby. The gift was accepted and a pre sent of solid silver plate was shortly after Hindquarters—Rump wide and long and wards sent from the Tuileries to Babraham. well turned, tail large and set on almost level with the chine. WIDESPREAD POPULARITY Legs of Mutton (including thighs)— The Southdown has achieved immense Should be full and well let down with a popularity in many European countries, deep, wide twist. particularly in France, where it is widely Skin—Of a healthy bright pink, not used for crossing with the native French inclined to blue. breeds to produce better carcasses of Flesh—Even and firm-handling all over. mutton. The U.S.A. formed a Southdown breed society in 1882 which was eight years Legs—Short, straight, and of one even before the Southdown Sheep Society of mouse-colour, and set on outside the body. England came into being, and exportations Carriage—Free and active. of Southdown sheep have been made to Fleece—Of fine texture, great density South America, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and of sufficient length to staple, cover the West Indies and of course to Australia ing the whole body down to the knees and and New Zealand, where it has played an below the hocks and up to the cheeks, important part in the fat lamb trade. with a full foretop but no wool round the As the sire of export lambs from Long- eyes or across the bridge of the nose. No wool-Merino cross ewes, the Southdown black hairs on body. has long been the most popular breed As is to be expected in a meat breed, for producing a high percentage of first- the wool of the Southdown is short (2| to grade carcasses. It appears to be the 3 in.) and light. It is among the finest most suitable ram to use over the major of the British breed wools having a spin portion of the lamb-producing areas of ning count of 56/60 but lacks well-defined Australia, and Southdown-sired lambs staples and is inclined to have a "mushy" rank highly on the Smithfield market. tip. As it possesses poor felting qualities Although in the old days the South it is well adapted for the manufacture of down was renowned for its "four-year-old flannels and hosiery. mutton," the modern representatives of the breed mature early and the lambs with their ideal proportions of fat to lean are excellently suited to the consumers' taste. POINTS Head—Wide, level between ears, with no sign of scur, horns or dark poll. Nostrils full aud wide. 690 Journal of Agriculture Vol 1 No 8 1960 Produce your toughest conditions - THEY WONT STOP THIS TRIO! SUPER SURE-GRIP with "Torque Control Twist power in the axle is torque. 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