GISBORNE’S MILD WINTER

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 5

GISBORNE’S MILD WINTER

Waihuka’s Achievement

In conversation with Mr. Roger Hutchinson it was learned that Gisborne had experienced no real winter this year; there was a growth all through and the mild conditions favoured stock. Little loss of hoggets was suffered and cattle have come through to the spring m wonderful order and splendidly grown. The Waihuka annual draft of two-year-old bulls bore witness to this and Mr. Hutchinson declared: “1 really can say that these are the best line we have seen on the place in many years.” Steptember will, see Waihuka’s twenty-eighth annual sale, to -be held as jisual at the Matawhero' saleyards, Gisborne. About the usual number of bulls will be on offer from this great Hereford stud. The sale is one always eagerly looked forward to by both Hereford breeders and others; it provides the beef bull selling season's ‘'kick-off,” an influential one on account of both quantity and quality available. Several factors have contributed to the success attained here in the 29 years since the founding of the herd. Primarily was, and is, a true love for Hereford cattle and this has been combined with sound judgment and an enterprising spirit which led to the. venturing of capital upon costly, high-class, imported sires. And then to cement all was much practical experience in the breeding of run cattle. The great line of 2J-year Hereford steers offered on account of Hutchinson Bros. (Waihuka), numbering between 230 and 300 head, is a feature of the Gisborne cuttie fairs'each autumn, a line that usually tops the sale in its age- group. Among the notable sires imported has been Royal Navy, purchased at lOOOgus., and then in 1034 there was landed at a cost of 1200gns. the English champion, Paunton James. Again, two years later, Flashlight was imported at a' cost of 050 gns. All have proved great breeders. Their influence has raised the herd to a truly "royal quality,” the stud having won several Royal Hereford bull championships. Appreciation of its great quality is evidenced by the remarkable sales average recorded over manyy ears. A wise policy adopted with this herd is to offer only bulls that will worthily carry its name. As a result almost 100-per cent, of each season’s offering is regularly sold at auction.