BULLS IMPORTED.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 405, 14 December 1932, Page 3

BULLS IMPORTED.

One of the most unique enterprises yet conceived in connection with the improvement of New Zealand's pedigree stock was the Ayreshire Cattle Breeders' Association of New Zealand's improvement scheme. This came into being in 1929, and in the following year the president, Mr. A. M. Weir, of Edendale, Southland, and the vice-president, Mr. Fred Mills, of Hawera, Taranaki, mad© a visit to Canada and there selected from leading studs five of the best young bulls in that country. These bulls represented the best strains in Scotland as imported into Canada. As individuals they were of very high merit, their sires were in eaela case outstanding breeding bulls, and the dams were cows of exceptional type and class and included the world's champion three-year-old, 7551b fat on two milkings a day, former would's champdons with records of 8091b fat and 9781b fat and the aged champion with 6761b fat at 15 years, etc. This importation scheme was made possible by 25 members of the Ayrshire Breeders' Association guaranteeing the funds required for the purchase and importation expenses. After the importation the bulls were sold at auction in Wellington by Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., LtcL, and realised the following prices: — Harnelbel Calamity Pride, Mr. A. M. Weir, Southland, 210 guineas;' Chedholme Top Grade, Mr. H. H. Olson, Taranaki, 170 guineas; Avonsyde Star of Farne, Ma*. J. G. Donald, Waia*arapa, 305 guineas; Selwood First Choice, Mr. Fred Mills, Taranaki, 200 guineas; Selwood Highland Prince, Mr. T. G. Dobie, Southland, 180 guineas. The five bulls averaged 213 guineas, and the result of the sale was a very considerable profit to the Association. The proceedings at the sale were ba*oadcast and the result of the enterprise was to greatly stimulate interest in the Ayreshire breed. All of the bulls imp'orted have developed splendidly in New Zealand and have aceounted for championships in practically every part of the Dominion. In addition to these five bulls, a further six bulls were imported from Canada either as a result of the visit to Canada by Messrs. Weir and Mills, or direct by the breeders concerned. The butter-fat records behind th'se importations ranged up to 12001b — the present world's record. These bulls were imported by or for Messrs. J. G. Donald, Tauherenikau, Wairarapa; D. Buehanaoa, Tiakitahuna, Palmerston North (2); R. S. Weir, Edendale, Southland; A. M. Weii*, Mataura Island, Southland; and T. M. Thomson, Waiuku, Auckland. The first bull imported, and prior to the importation scheme, was Mr. J. G. Donald's Thorscroft Star Boy. This bull has been undefeated in New Zealand and has scored championships at successive Royal Shows. His stock give an evidence of the value of the impoi'tations made will prove to the Ayreshire breed as well as the dairying industry as a whole. Last year his first crop of yearlings swept the board at the Wairarapa, Manawata, Hawera and Royal (Christchurch) Shows. This year, his two-yeai*-olds have made a plienomenal record. His sons have won chanapionships ah*eady at the Wairarapa, Royal (Palmerston North), Timaru, Dunedin aiad Hawera Shows, while his two-year-old daughters in milk have won championships and reserve ehampionships at the Royal, Wairarapa and Hawera Shows, and his twoyeaa*~okl daughters in milk under O.H.T. are giving at the rate of 501b per day — a wonderful .achievement. The sweeping successes of this bull's stock are indicated by the fact that at the Wairarapa Show his sons were first and second and champioaa and reserve in two-year-olds; first and second'in yearlings; and his daughters were first and reserve and second in two-years-olds and first, second and third in yearlings, in a class of 9. At the Royal, ahnost simillar honours wea*e won in vea'y large classes, the progeny of Thorncroft Star Boy also winning for his owner the Sir Charles Ferguason Challenge Cup for most points. Already the oldest progeny, now yearlings, of Star of Farne, the toppriced bull at the Importation sale, are assisting in making new breed history, as several of these were also pi'ize-winners at the Royal and Wairarapa Shows and anoth'er was, first and reserve champion at the Gisborne Show. The success of the Ayreshire enterprise should focus the attention of other Breeders' Associations, to the value of collective effort in the bringing about of herd and flock improvement.