Impressed By Charolais

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 23

Impressed By Charolais

OV.S. Pres, Association} HAMILTON, July 18. Findings soon to be released by the British Milk Marketing Board on dairy beef would show that the Charolais cross would “put steaks on anything,** said Mr J. J. Parsons, chairman of the Dominion dairy section of Federated Farmers. In Britain recently Mr Parsons saw dairy cattle of many breeds crossed with the Charolais. He was convinced this would be the answer for the New Zealand dairy beef industry. “We will have to see by the Ruakura experiments how the breeds fare under our conditions, but I am certain this will be the animal for us,” he ■aid.

He was impressed by the Charolais-Jersey and the Char-olais-Ayrshire cross cattle and there were many good calves of other breeds, he said. However, the French breed did not cross weU with the Friesian because of calving difficulties. “But the Friesian is so complete within itself as a dualpurpose breed that there is no particular need to cross," he said.

The New Zealand herd was predominantly Jersey, a breed being unacceptable for beef and the Charolais cross would considerably enhance it, Mr Parsons said. However, the beef cross should be used with prudence in this country. “It must be remembered the principal interest of the dairy industry is producing dairy products and dairy herd replacements are important,” he said.