STUD STOCK IMPORTATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1923, Page 4

STUD STOCK IMPORTATIONS.

VALUABLE ADDITIONS. The stud stock breeders of the Dominion are taking advantage of the generosity of the N.Z. Shipping Company in providing free freight to tin's country for stud cattle, sheep and pigs purchased in the British Isles. As there is an inclination hotvever, to go in for indiscriminate importing a word of caution is necessarv.

Only the highest types are wanted in this country, and this class costs money. It is foolish to import anything hut the very best, for in many breeds we have as good, if not a higher standaid than in the old world. This .statement particularly applies to our dual purpose types of sheep and our dairy breeds, for the production of which New Zealand lias proved an ideal environment. In fact, for many years we have been competing in overseas markets with the .Mother Country with great success, and our Romneys, Cnrriedales and Lincolns have an excellent name in South America. Our dairy cattle are making an equal record, and the time is fast coming when New Zealand and not North America will he producing the greatest amount of butterfat the world lias ever known. At the present time a New Zealand bred Friesian cow promises to break till records for lmtteri.it productinn, and two New Zealand bred Jersey cows should break the world’s record for that breed for a cow milked under test twice a day only. CATTLE IMPORTATIONS.

Recent importations into tlie country include Freisan, Ayrshire, Red Polled and Aberdeen Aligns Cattle. In view of lilt! growing popularity of the Ayrshire breed, which has been more or less neglected for some years, it is interesting to note that the largest shipment introduced was of ibis breed. This was a very valuable consignment and all of the cattle were either broil or selected hv the famous Scottish breeder, Mr James llowie, of Hillboti.se, Kilmarnock. There were five bulls and two heifers in lift* shipment, the purchasers living Messrs A. M . Weir, Menzios Ferry. Southland; 11. S. Irving Rnslyn Bush, Southland ; Peter Walker Waiaroka Junction, Oamarti; Thomas Thompson. Waiitku; C.Bailey, Huntly. and J. Fenwick,Wniuku. These cattle were all selected from noted proven butterfat producing strains, and are bred from great stock. Mr. A.M. Weir's bull, Thornhill's Loyalty, which heads the shipment, is a great hull, and will undoubtedly make a name for himself in the Showring. He goes in In one of the* best herds ill New Zealand. 11 is dam is one of the best cows in Scotland, and is not only a heavy milker but a high tester also a most valuable point. The sire ol the hull and also of Mr. Irvine’s hull, Thornhill Royal is a very noted milk and butter fat hull. Both Tiis dam and sire dnni have made great records, and be already lias in Scotland a big string of producing heifers. Mr Fenwick’s bull, llairmyre Aligns, is from a particularly high testing strain, and -Mr Thomson’s hull is from the same family which is represented in America by the world’s champion Ayrshire cow. It is of great interest to note that Mr Bailey's heifer won second prize as a ihree-ycar-old at the famous Ayr Now Show. She is particularly well bred, and lias already proved herself a henw producer, and it naturally look big monov to secure her for New Zealand. The heifer imported for Mr Walker represents the modern type as she shows great size as well a> dairy ability. She is sired by the well known bull. Howie’s Grandee, and represents high, testing and heavy producing strains of particular merit. She is accompanied by her own calf, a most promising dairy bull. .Messrs 'Wright. Sleplieiison and Co., Ltd., who were responsible for the selection and importation of these cattle state that they Mere landed in surprisingly good order. With the same shipment the New Zealand Government also imported a Red Polled bull from England. This is a particularly high class animal and one of very great value.

The Friesian cattle imported were selected in the United States. The New Zealand Government has .secured a very high class sire of the famous Poscli strain, which lias produced several world’s champions. His dam is closely related to the world’s champion milk cow, and lias herself a record of over 8001 b of butterfat, while the sire sold for the great price of £22,003 spine three years ago—the highest price ever paid for an animal of any breed. The second bull imported is for ail old established Waikato breeder and is front the noted Ornisby strain, one of his ancestors having been world’s champion cow for many years. The various animals mentioned above are now safely in quarantine at Auckland, Wellington and Lyttelton stations. Messrs W right. Stephenson and Co., Ltd., have now,,on the water a very valuable shipment of Shorthorn cattle for an Otago breeder. These cattle were all selected in Scotland. IMPORTATIONS OF SHEEP.

Some very ..important purchases of Southdown sheep have been made in England tor New Zealand breeders, and some consignments are expected this month. Undoubtedly one - of the most valuable is the purchase made from His Majesty the King on behalf of Mr John Donald, Westmere, 'Wanganui. Hi- Majesty's Sandringham stud was very successful both at the recent English Royal Show, whore he look the championship, and at the Royal Counties Show. Mr Donald, who has always been noted for his enterprise, secured the very host that money could buy, and as well as a fine selection of high-class owes he lias also secured a magnificent young ram. Mr Donald already has progeny of the stock purchased from the King’s stud hv the well-known Canterbury breeder, Mr Joint Grigg. A big consignment of SniitTidowns is also being brought out for the Messrs Slack Bros., of Otaki. Their purchases were largely made from Sir James Coleman, who has been a most consistent winner for many years.