Shows As Means Of Promoting Livestock

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 9

Shows As Means Of Promoting Livestock

The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association believed its shows and ram fairs were the best means of promoting livestock, and did not consider they should be so constantly held up to scorn, said the association’s president (Mr G. N. Francis) in an address to the annual meeting yesterday. “Many at our members are concerned at the tendency in certain quarters to declare that the pedigree livestock breeder is hidebound by tradition and that he does not move with the times and call science to his aid. The association shares this concern because its main responsibility is the improvement of livestock breeding. “This concern is compounded when open criticism of the value of livestock shows is made by the same responsible persons. “We are fully conscious that under the A. and P. Act we are Charged to encourage men of science in their attention to the improvement of agriculture in all its facets. We give such encouragement, but we do consider that certain conclusions soundly based in the laboratory may not be so sound in the field. "We think that the eye and the test tube must progress together. We do not think that any purpose is served by the promotion of rabid conflict,” Mr Francis said. Specialist Concern Most farmers left the breeding of the sires they needed in their flocks to the specialists, the stud breeders, he said. Thus the stud breeders were directly responsible for the efficiency of all the livestock in New Zealand. Where science had been able to help, breeders had been quick to use scientific methods, Mr Francis said. Studmasters were by no means blind to scientific methods.

Mr Francis pointed out that in improving weight gain in animate’ eye appeal was necessary to ensure a balanced, commercial animal was produced. “Laboratory tests on the traditional methods of assessing the value of wool by its look and feel have established the accuracy of these methods,” he said. Of studmasters' conservatism about the introduction of new breeds, Mr Francis said almost every British breed of livestock had been tried in New Zealand. The New Zealand fanner would continue to take his stock to shows and be content to have them judged by experts on appearance. He would continue to buy his breeding stock on looks and reputation. “But he will willingly supplement his judgment with any information the precise measurement of performance can give.” This approach had brought livestock breeding in New Zealand a very long way. Annual Report The association’s annual report said the motor camp continued to attract good business and was an important contribution to the association's revenue.

Considerable maintenance on the showgrounds was required during the year, much if it being painting and repairs to buildings some long overdue.

The main and most expensive item was the renewal of the roof of the main grandstand. The showground facilities were now in good shape

for the Royal Show but the work had inevitably been expensive.

Membership of the association at the end of 1966 was 2757 annual members, 799 life members and 96 junior members, compared with the previous year’s totals of 2773 809 and 116.

Contributions to the association’s centennial appeal continue dto flow in steadily. The total at the end of 1965 was £45,187. Total promises at December were £81,163.