Ewe have to be joking say stamping-mad farmers

The stamp error is unlikely to affect its value, says NZ Post.

A new series of stamps includes one of a very strange-looking merino sheep with two lambs.

The stamp - of which about 1 million were produced - features a ewe with big, curled horns.

Although a ewe can grow horns, such a magnificent set would be found only on a ram, and another rather important feature of a ram is missing in the stamp. National's Katherine Rich, who worked in agricultural marketing before becoming an MP, spotted the error.

"The stamp is an absolute impossibility. Basically anybody knows a merino ewe doesn't have horns - and if it is a ram ... well, there'd be some tell-tale dangly bits, wouldn't there?"

The stamps were a joke and should be withdrawn, she said.

"They launched this stamp collection with great fanfare but rather than be cocky about it they should be sheepish.

"The stamp is an insult to rural New Zealand. Given the sheep is a major icon of this country you'd think they would have at least passed the stamp design by someone with knowledge of agriculture."

Stud Merino Breeders Society chairman Robert Gibson, who has 7000 merino at his Malvern Downs property, agreed the stamp was incorrect.

"You'd never get a ewe looking like that. That's a ram with two lambs.

"When a sheep is castrated they have little horns but he would have to have nuts to grow horns like that. That's dreadful."

The ewe/ram also appeared to have had a strange shearing experience: "It sort of looks like the ram's been shorn but they've left all the wool around its head."

Mr Gibson said the image was not good for the merino industry.

NZ Post spokesman Ian Long said artist Samuel Sakaria "had sourced information that a merino ewe could have horns although it was probably rare.

"We were assured by the artist of the accuracy and advised it was a true representation of a merino ewe.

"Obviously we are disappointed that there was an inaccuracy but we're pleased to be advised of it."

Sakaria admitted he had taken artistic licence.

"I thought just to add a bit of a dynamic I'd just add in the male equivalent as opposed to the female."

Mr Long said because of the number of 45c stamps produced the error was unlikely to increase its value for collectors

- NZPA