FARMER AND STOCK BREEDER.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 12, 4 January 1924, Page 3

FARMER AND STOCK BREEDER.

THE FIRST ROYAL SHOW. (By * * Si ock-breeder. ’’) Comment is made in ;i recent issue of ;i prominent English live si. tick pape.’ upon the iJi.enfioii /of Xflw Zealand to 'initiate an annual Royal show. iu’tiuM seen ; l‘M we ill.. pri amp: nous in Mich i.i----:«-Mtien. A * bu.cis • t »x»I sh jci: wo mi- welcomed with open «u ins but will ii we lake .steps to toil the wide world what we ourselves can supply them with, wo are to be frowned down. It is a great pity that our Department of Agriculture had not more energy nu l enthusiasm so tjpit it might have given our sheep-breeders a lead a tut stock to the Empire Exhibition. WV are to be represented by a display of rlcci-e wool from so mo of our leading Ju-’iniHy. CorriedaJe and Merino Hocks. C'.* the other hand Aus iralia is .sending Ii \ • stock. Tasmania’s .famous Merinos of the line-woo'llod Gibson typo, ae i the I’eppiu type of No" South W'aie:- and South Austi n)in n Merinos wii! give t hose respecti\ e States- a a<lverlisemCJit. Stock oa t lie hoof always at tracts. 'lhc expense to a eouniry like Now Zealand should not have counted. What an opportunity we have missed in not storing t"i ward a complete represen t a (‘‘oil cl best types of Romneys an t Cor rim la le.--. They would have created extraordinary interest, .and how the English papers would have criticised them. ‘Chat sort of advertisement would have been worth untold money to us. But it is not 1o be. Blively we have kiss - I out of the pioneering agThe farmer-breeder—the backbone o£ the country—is for once untrue to his past l radii ions. lie is content to til low a football team to advertise Cod’s Owe. Country. Even Prime Minister Massey takes Lis publicity officer along wit It him to the great metropolis. -But New Zealand’s wonderful siieep productions—the world’s most valuable dual-purpose sheep —arc to be represented by their fleeces only. The New Zealand Rugby Union might go one further at least ami ask our .Sheep Breeders’ Associations to provide them

with free wool for their jerseys to b manufactured and worn by the Ail Blacks m the r next year’s lour. A New Zealand all-wool jersey stands extmol'd:nar\ hard-wear. But the fact ought lo ba made i’reelv known that the all-conquering All Blacks are clad in New ZeJanl all-wool football tog... I'os-ibly as prospects arc now s<* much brighter for producers and the count an-' the J'rimc Minister has ii i-.-’Tc.i •. j-i'mcilci!), and the (-lover a- -. .’. t will bcci-lc upon sendbig a public i:\ ofh'-er v.i-.!i the All Blacks, not f«. -ec tha l theli achievements are adequately re. « s led, for the newspapers have never lacked in enterprise in that regard, but to boost the Dominion, its products an i its resources. The . d Blacks will ive us a tremendous advertisement, but their country should not /miss the opportunity that the presence of the team in England will give for something tfiort? Ending than a football reputation. NEW ZEALAND SHEEP FOR AMERICA. Prior to the war, New Zealand Car vibdnl.es and Romneys, the farmer particularly, were finding their way North America, and many of tlie sheep .-ent liiled the bill admirably. Tin-, the trade .-cased.' Now the Minister ot l*vE in C.. radii has aanoor.ced his i.i U’h.ioii of taking slops to increase tie* number of sheep in British Columbia from 50.000 to 1,000,000. Ail English p.per states: — “A million sheep is not enough for Canada, because it will take more-than a big lie ace to supply each inhabitant with virgin wool, and they should have some to sell us until we catch up. We wonder how they intend to get that million. They have only 50,000 now, They' cannot grow them. Suppose they have lambs 100 per cent, and half are ewes, there will be a total of but; £20,000 by 3 930. Then sheep grow old, and some meet with accidents, so we must allow a loss of fully 10 per cent., n liich leaves but 740,000. They will have to buy 200,000 extra, or buy along the v ay to raise that number. That is goo-1 news. We must tell them to look ibis way. "VVe must treat Canadians as nicely as we know how. None of the domestic animals respond to skilful I breeding and good care more readily than sheep. It is seldom that r man pays tec much for a ram.” The English breeder knows how to study he's customer. This trade is one, how ever, which should appeal to the New Zealand breeder as the Corricdalc, and the New Zealand Romney would be very suitable for conditions in British Columbia. THE BRITISH VIEWPOINT The English breeder, while remarkably keen to do business with the “ colonial,” has not the slightest, intention of permitting stud stock from the Dominions to enter into Britain. Wliile the Imperial Conference was discussing ihe question of the import into Britain from the Dominions of breeding slock, it was stated that im matter what decisions arc made on this subject the certainty exists that no body of farmers in this country desires 1 he importation of breeding cattle from overs'-as, and that, so far as can be gathered, the only animals likely to be so imported, if the agricultural wish is to be ignored, are Friesians, as speculators in all parts of the worldseem to th;uk that anv black-am.l white animal sent to Britain will realise a fabulous price. Such speculators are probably the only persons who really desire importation of breeding cattle, and signs are not wanting that they have been increasingly active of late. Owners of British Friesian cattle and members of the British Friesian Cattle Society must- be united on this matter. The Society has already stated its determination not tp register in the Herd Book any breeding animals sent to this country from overseas, should facilities J s: sending cat l ie lo this country In given 1o the overseas dominions .against the wishes of agricultural opinion in this country, and »>i this Society. Members of the Society should take care that, if animals can not be prevented from coming to this country, they can at least, fail to fulfil the expectations of specula tors on tlie onlv question that concerns them, namelv, price; and it cannot be too clearly stated ihat any member who purchased a breeding animal that maj r be imported into this country does so at his own risk and with no

1 guaran:e.* that the Society will, recovnizo (he pedigree or the identity of : pch animal. If the breed is to iLe a tlie mercy of speculators, its ’ fuvui’? -.v 51 be impaired, because only ! the : ecAiid rate animals would be j jo this country in the hope oi. realising first-rate prices.” A VALUABLE IMPORTATION Through tlie specialisation of North Island sheep-men and those of tii„ Southern province, our Romney sheep have- been developed for a u..ii* durd which is superior to that of _.o itemney in its native Kentlsn m e. Similarly, specialisation in Canto bury and Otago has resub.j>(j * the production of irr world-famous Corriedalo sheep and the improved standard oi our Eii'-'lisii I.d iceaters. Similar specialisation is talcing place to-day in the breeding of pedigree dairy cattle, end a higher standard in ail breeds m being annually attained. This is j-n-ve.l 1 v the ’mprove 1 qualilv ef the stock exhibited at our foremost ,\. ard P shows and to a greater dey the noinble buD.--.far roco: 1 ■ being constantly credited to ir, mbers of tlx: various breeds tin .roiag t’-.e semi-official test. Tt is ii I found necessary, however, to impor.; the best sites and ou.tsta.nd jug I’em-ile.s from the land of origan o r j he respective breeds, Uufominatel\- the selection of the majority of il.ese animals has been left to the breeder, and (he result has not al ways boon sat from the New Zealnmler’s vicwpoiiit. The nnportations of Jersey cattle made of Jale years hti"<, however, generally proved satisfactory, and these and their progeny have been very prominent of lab. I: is. however, the very high class of animal that is required, and for that kind there is an unsatisfied demand. The two shipments of Jerseys that have just arrived in tlie Pom nion direct Ero n Jn&ey Island wUL therefore, ; b j jf great -.merest to breeders throughout the Dominion, for these constitute the largest and best collection of Jerseys yet. brought here. These cattle were Personally selected by Mr. E. H Martin, a -well-known and highly experienced Canterbury veterinary surgeon who

as n yjung man had experience with il; > bree 5 through his father’s activities both on Jersey Island itself and in England. He is, too, fully conversant with the reputation of tin leading animals of the breed, its best blood lines, and the type required ; i the Dominion. Mr. Martin, who has for a partner in his present venture the well known Boul n ' ■‘• mferbur. sheep and cattle-breedei*, Mr. Georg - Murray, of Braemar, went-to the island determined to get the best, not only for the sake of his own reputation, but any man with tb.' (rue instincts of the brooder always looks to the country’s interests also, and Mr. Mar tin lias certainly succeeded in selecting cattle which will be of very great value to the freed in the J -'..-minion. Tit* :.r.f shipment consisted of six males and four females, and the second sliipmem • * eight m •l-.'a and six i Both .shipments have been placed under a 40 days’ quarantine at Quail Island in Lyttelton harbour from which they wjIJL be released about tlie end of January. They will then, he taken to Palmerston North ud placed on exhibition for a period of two weeks when they v 11 ,-e. .-mi 1 m pubMc auori.m Already the first shipment created much interest, and leading who hav,> inspected tlie animals are in raptures regarding them. They are sired by (lie leadingbulls of tlie day, Zenia’s Sultan, jus! sold for 6000 guineas; Masterman of Oak lands, a champion bull both on the island and in America, to which country lie was exported at a big figure, and one of whose imported sons was champion at the Waikato Show last week, and by Blr ’s Oxford "oblo, whoso progeny are winning not only on Jersey Island itself but in America, where they arc also-being credited with the merit of having proven themselves outstanding Tmttorfat producers. When these twenty-four island bred cattle are brought together at: the one time and place it will be a great opportunity for breeders of Jerseys to secure an indication of wha the island breeders of the day arc producing, ROMNEYS AND LINCOLNS COMING BACK -As eke where in ihc North l&kmd, the Waikato has long sine© adopted ilio iconiney as the foundation or lie ( flocks. Hie Lincoln has lost much ground, and it lias in all parts oi tlie Dominion, even in. those areas to hich i. is particularly adapted. Thu improved and improving position oi crossbred wool will increase the value of existing Lincoln tlocKs now. With crossbred wool in demand, the I }eculii as a bale-filler and the sheep tor rough and wet country is bound t:> claim more attention. The position of Lincoln breeders is likely to be improved also Ihrough the knowledge I hat fine wool lias seen il « peak price. Evidence of a ’ anev view being taken of tlie, wool-pro-ducing business on the part oi sheepmen is already evidenced in the demand for flock Romneys carrying medium Quality or ''true” Konmey wool. Probably the flock ItOiunt.. ram.-, sold for forward delneij tup, ea-son exceed in numbers any ward sales of previous yea, s sales have been oil tin cxlraoi dni.n.' scale, and Wairarapa, Southland and Maeawstu breeders alike bate pettleipaiod. The east coast of the North Island is the principal purchaser, and those leading breeders wlio tlo not patronise the annuol sales have sold riel i.i out. Prices have ranged up to tcT 12 and 14 guineas, and oiu- old established and reputable breeder averaged the letter price right through. Tlu*re° is no doubt about thn suil ability and adaptability of the Romney for a. vast area c-f our •-I mi try and the standard to winch it is now bred makes it a most profitable sheep. WAIKATO HERDS AND FLOCKS There* are now quiie a number of good Romney flocks in the Waikato, and nt the recent record show held at ■ m i 'ton, some quite g'ood sheep' were shown. Mr. Richard Seddon, who has bought, in the past of tlie Wes; from the noted dominant Wap rai-apa strain, was a prominent ami successful exhibitor. Further’ north there are also good Romney studs, for tlie popular breed in the Auckland province is the Romney also, and for fat lamb production, the Southdown used on the Romney is the favourite; in fact, the Waikato

• is like other parts of tlie Dominior j ii. challenging the it pu a'Am i-.l Can i ter bur.. tU-i- i's quality •:« 1.10. T’n in,. . \e v | Poiauey r ~ii ideal itiotiiei : for il.i(» cross lamb j( \ uis i reec'ing Enel i t a; hutitfactorr lo note that ;mo h o .- sliii-ui' -si SO'U'-.-.l jw.v ran., nave jus-; v A lrom ;h* Home land. Those are also for tin. previous importers, Messrs Slac!Bros., of the Mauawatu. This con sign men f. was- drawn i'j-mn th _• notee Luton Hoc flock owned by I.ady j Ludlow. Both ir* the flock compel! j lions and .he shown, the Luton Hoc flock is equally noted. The "ewe: imported bcth from Jf.M. The King’s and Lady Ludlow’s flocks are being retained by Mr. B. H. Black, but. it is j intended to ycli r.t m.riinn the whole of the thin v-eigiu. ' iinjiartcd raui:; ’l i’.".--' rams i ; should be .uoied wii.! be -•M ?i* he Wairarap.: and not in the 8.a.-ih Jsjiuid. as in Can l erluirv iiie Souri«down plays ~uly second (idle to the English Leleestei. !a the Opinion o» many experienced breeders, fhif popularity vt thy ,Bouthdo'./n. ; u l the Romney as -.lie tat lamb uioi lier-, is «he i e:is<.,: I‘, f r finpro\ t;d quality i /f Nor! 1 1 Lts! **n •! lam!). Ti'.e l? mu ae*-s uud Soutlniuwns exhibited m. Hi- Wnikata •ShoM- were b -th up to g-ood .standard the hi>m i; o r th cn.vmpion the home. iii. now champion • E l-rev pi-oducfi-,- Prcvty's Iflirl., KMfJib of bull erf:: i . i :.** Wa i hat «» claiais a re •. h.E f tor dairy men Jo on;. . The shoving lh.ee of tlairv breeds was --pb-m o- I.ml, Jci .e-, •, and Vries MKilo.-r pi. ri ic.ida :d; mdablc dis phiys. The 81) a ! ford Sli ,«• si' II sin mb: ■ ••ioo in -■}.••: re-:. however, although Die I It:: I Hamiltoa Du-v,- V.. 0, 12-i - .-nirred tup aim. t as many Kriesian.s speaks for iiself. One inis*..riant leal ure was i iic success of an :i■ i »*»-- .- I isia ml bred Jersey but 1 bioughi out by Mr. Frank Day las' .’ear. This bull was .sired J>y Master man , j' Oalcaoos, mq. d island she so l-l iast yea? also lo an Americru br- i‘!','r. W • wain all the good bull? ' v t* can acquire, and if this one breeds stock in koiping with lii.s good looks lie will be a. great acquisition. The champion cow was exhibited by Messrs W. Dunn and .Sons and was sired by Jim iinpoited Taranaki owned bull, Viola’s Golden Laddie. Mr. E. Griffiths curiously, who imported tlie. latter bull and bred the champion c-.ow, won the reserve .-hampienship with one oJ? his

recent ty imported island bred cows. A noteworthy success was scored in the younger classes by the owner of R.-ettv ’s Flirt:, Mr. W. 11. Micrs. In addition lo Ibvtiy’s Flirt and her family of promising deseondants. Mr. Miers i ay us the great show bull, Distinction’s Twylish. This bull appeared at all the leading .Jersey shows in tho Doininion and was undefeated. Ho is following up his own record by leaving unbeatable stock, for last year Mi. Miers brought out a trio of yearlings by hini that swept the board wherever shown. This y»*ar at Hamilton lie came back with his two-year-old in milk and scored again- One would like to see more yearlings do this. And not only that but two more of the daughters of Distinction’s Twylish won both first and second in yearlings- and first in pairs against formidable competition. Mr. Miers has, therefore, a, most consistent breeding bull in distinction’s Twylish; in fact, he rivals Owlcr of

I'uke-upu in J his resp*-. !. Tho latter l.nbV are doing execpi j.,1, ally well un«l« v lesi, *>n.| t!:0 oi:.e, -iairghl-rs <„r J Us! ittc I*. - ’J’v.yli.-h , - cbiitiy calved also pr.weiy B.;]i.i of this calibre h:ivin .. th •*, vr i<• i-<*. j.*roducc ;i cuml'imit, .’o ; .ii h the abHi.y for heavy production in their daughters are most desirable.