THE EVIL OF OVER-FEEDING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 6

THE EVIL OF OVER-FEEDING.

The evolution of early-maturing stocki has been accompanied by a great increase in the overfeeding of exhibition animals, and a corresponding increase of the diffi-* cuHy of judges deciding whether the con* dition of an exhibit is the result of cultivation of Us aptitude to fatten at ait early age, or of excessive cramming and accompanying fattening treatment., Bieedeis dosno to exhibit the <>aily, matuiing qu.ihtio<- oi their stock, and yet they are await' that to achieve distinction in this diicction thry will piob^bly destroy the usefulness of the animals for" breeding purposes. Buyeis of prize stock and stock got up for the sale ring have had abundance of experience of the risk which they run ; few have escaped the experience of having these overfed animals prove impotent or capable of producing only weak and unhealthy stock. Overfeeding of immature animals, causing excessive deposits of fat in the region of the genera* tive organs, prevents thes-c- from making) due development, and gives rise to a condition which, as pointed out in a recent note, is in itself a disease transmissible to succeeding generations. The loss of vigour, also, leaves a tendency towards other diseases, and so the type deteriorates. It should not be necessary to exhibit animals intended for breeding in such gross condition that if they had been intended for meat no butcher would have looked at them a second time, and they might even incur disqualification by the judges. Yet experience has taught | breeders that this is the only way to gain prizes. To ensure health and vigour in breeding stock the animals should be allowed, as nearly as possible, the conditions under which they existed before being domesticated. Cattle kept from birth in healthy, thriving, store condition will prove satisfactory as breeding stock, and development of such qualities as earlyj maturity can at the eatne time be cultivated by the skilful breeder. It has been said of certain New Zealand breeders that they had two sets of animals — one fop the show yard and the other for the breeding pen, and very probably there was truth m the assertion. If so, it should be regarded as a powerful rebuke to tha judges who awarded the prizes to animals which they should have known were anfifc for breeding purposes. Overfeeding is too often necessary in oidcr to gain prizes, ,but it is the surest means of deteriorating the stock.