IN BRIEF

10 January 1997

IN BRIEF

TWELVE Hampshire Down lambs born on a Gloucestershire farm could renew interest in the breed. That is the thinking of producer Mike Adams who imported 60 Hampshire Down embryos from New Zealand in an attempt to improve growth and conformation.

He believes the British Hampshire has lost its popularity because when not managed properly it can run to fat. In New Zealand, he says, they have succeeded in breeding a longer, leaner Hampshire, without sacrificing its flavour or rapid growth rate.

He hopes the lambs produced from the imported embryos will help him develop the breeds conformation while maintaining its meat eating qualities.