THE JERSEY BREED.

Shannon News, 15 May 1928, Page 3

THE JERSEY BREED.

A REMARKABLE COW. It is a recognised law of breeding that all successful sires and dams are ; aiiimals that show the leading desirable' characteristics of the breed to which they belong. They may not be champions, but their imperfections are minor ones and they show a quality - whicli there is no denying. Ivondale .' Rainbow Lass is a shining light amongst cows of the Jersey breed in *. the Dominion which may be classed a* 1 superior breeding matrons. She. was bred by Mr P. J. Petersen, of Waitara, and born 17th September, 1920. Her breeding is interesting in that she woa, the result of breeding cousins together. Her sire and dam were son and daughter of the bull Sunbeams Monarch.. The concentration of his blood through both parents in Ivondale’s Rainbow Lass, has apparently endowed her with the power of passing on to her progeny, ’ though various sires were used, the more desirable characteristics of the breed, which she doubtless inherited from Sunbeam’s who in turn claims first class parents. It is also interesting to note that on the' bottom line of her pedigree she is a direct descendant of “Heather, *■* a cow that was owned by the late Mr Dick Cornwall, and for whom she won many championships. Indeed, that she r was invincibly at all Taranaki shows was well-known, and the story is told tha!t on one occasion 20 odd years ago, when the Jersey entries Were’not ' sufficiently numerous to warrant a separate judge being engaged, the Jerseys were judged by the Ayrshire judge. On this eccasion Mr Cornwall was leading Madam ' Malaprop 3rd, a cow that he had re- . cently purchased; a cow that could not- compare with c 1 Heather, ’ ’ who, however, in this instance was being led by Mr F. W. Cornwall. The judge, ■ seeing Mr Dick Cornwall in the ring . and thinking he, of course, must be , leading “Heather,” placed him and Madam Malaprop 3rd ii} first position, and thus awarded her the flrpt prize , and the Champion ribbon. That was about the only occasion, when “Heath--er” was ever beaten. Ivondale, Rainbow Lass was shown a few times at • Taranaki shows, and though never winning a champion ribbon, was always “in the money.” As a three-year-old she competed in the Hawera Stakes and was awarded the highest points for type. At New Plymouth in 1920 she won first prize for. .best cow with’ tyre of her female progeny. When officially tested as a junior two-year-old she made a record, of 558-Tbs fat in 349 <j a y S — n ot a big record, but one that was satisfactory under the .circumstances connected with it. It is, however, through the splendid performances of her daughters that she has become known to fame. She . has, regularly dropped a calf each' spring, and aR are, in the first flight of the Jersey ranks. They are, in order of birth: — ■lvondale’s Golden Rainbow. Bom 25th August, 1922. Under C.Q.R. test she leads all New Zealand senior two-year-old Jerseys with the fine record of 768 lbs fat in 364 days. Also she has won many show ring prizes. At the last Stratford Show she won the championship. She was sold at auction two years ago for 510 guineas. , the highest price of the season. ■Mr k Tfuby King secured her to mate with his imported bull Clarion. Ivondale *s Black- Bess- Born 16ta October, 1923. A consistent prize winner. Was champion at the last Wanganui show. She sold at auction, for 175 guineas. Though not yet officially tested, she is a heavy producer. v Ivondale’s Oxford Lass. Born September, 1924. Like her oldest sister, she is also a class leader, for as a. junior two-year-old, starting her test when 23 months old, she broke all previous records by producing 734 lbs fat m 360 * days. She also is a show ring prizewinner. * Ivondale’s Silver Rainbow. . Born August, 1925. Is under semi-official test, but the drought in .Taranaki • has spoilt her chance of making a big record, ■ although she secured,, second place iir her class for the month of De- , comber, and has on several occasions t made more than 60 lbs fat for the month. • She won third prize in the two-year-old class, at the last New Plymouth show. Rainbow Lad. Born September, 192 b. He completes a quintette, the progeny of one cow, that would be hard to beat anywhere. This bull has not yet had a chance to/demonstrate his worth; he is owned by Mr Trilby King and has been used this season. He is a hand* some youngster, and may yet outshine his sisters. Ivondale Rainbow Lass was sold by Mr Petersen at his dispersal ( sale two years ago. She was a sick ‘cow and only made 200 guineas. She 's alive and well to-day, and as she is barely eight years old she should add many more illustrious animals to the breed. N.Z. JERSEY COUNCIL. The Council of the N.Z.. Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association is comprised of seven members, who hold office for two years and retire by rotation. The Auckland and Taranaki provinces ' are each represented by two members, and Manawatu and West Coast, Hawkes Bay and East Coast, and the South Islaiid are each represented by one. In V June an election will take place for two members for Taranaki and one for 1 Manawatu and West Coast. For manawatu nominations have been made on behalf of Mr Dernier, the present member, and Mr Allan Horn,'a young judge and a son of the well-known breeder, Mr R. L. Horn, of Ohau. For Taranaki nominations have been received for Messrs Linn and Griffiths, the sitting members, and oMr'i'G.'/H. Bell, who has taken a keen’interest in the Group herd-testing movement in Taranaki. ,