Enterprising Breeders

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 738, 10 August 1929, Page 33

Enterprising Breeders

Recent Importations

DURING the week the S.R. Pipiriki, direct from New York, landed one of the tinest consignments of Jersey cattle

ever handled in one lot in New Zealand. The shipment was vet another indication of the trend among New Zealand breeders to meet rising costs of production with better quality herds.

The past decade has seen a big im- < provement in the quality of New Zea- 1 land's dairy herds. It has been most ! marked among the herds of pedigree breeders, particularly of Jerseys. To such satisfactory levels have mauy herds been built that it has been pos- ' sible to maintain a certain export demand. Dominion breeders now realise, however. that, to draw nearer perfection is is necessary to go wide afield, and several importations have been made over the past year or so which reflect considerable credit on the foresight and enterprise of the breeders I '■ concerned. Last season A. Moreland and Pons (Waikato! and A. E. Watkins (Takanini) startled New Zealand Jersey interests when they each imported a Jersey bull valued at several thousand dollars. The importations were the most, expensive to date, and were a! clear indication that certain breeders J ic New Zealand were out to set world standards; that the day was past when they were prepared to lead merely in their own set circle. Already, as a result, the progeny of some of the finest blood of the island of Jersey has made its appearance in the Auckland Province, and the aver- 1 age standard of the breed in the Do- ] minion has been raised in conse-1 quenee. This week's shipment, which arrived to the order of Wright, Stephenson ! for private sale throughout the Do-] miuion. is a further move in the right direction. The cattle were specially purchased in the Island of Jersey by C. F. Cooper and Sons, Penn., U.S.A., for shipment to New Zealand. They ar« bred from the island's most j fashionable strain and have most of the rare qualities peculiar to the island strain, possessing exceptional style and character, and showing wonderful quality of bone. Leading breeders who have Inspected the shipment are unanimous that it is the tinest shipment of its size ever landed in the Dominion. This week's shipment of Jerseys was not the first to arrive in New Zealand this season, nor will it be the last. A small line arrived some weeks ago, and the Canadian Highlander, due over the next week or so, is expected to bring another small consignment from Canada. A Red Poll bull came to hand to the

order of a King Country dairyman about six weeks ago, and among the consignments expected by Wright, Stephenson is an Ayrshire bull from Canada for Mr. Quentin Donald, Featherston. The animal is reported to be exceptionally well bred and to have a very high butter-fat backing. Among the beef breeds is included a Polled Hereford, the first of its kind to come to this country. It is being imported from U.S.A. In the aggregate a substantial sum is included in the importations made or arranged for during the current season. The enterprisa and ini r of the breeders concerned, however, provides a challenge to the dairying interests of the Dominion. The day has come when the dairyman must face facts and realise that more than ever before is it necessary for him to consider only the best in bulls for placing in his herd. Money spent on a good bull is well spent, may be a well-worn platitude; nevertheless it is true and should be acted on by all who wish to be successful at any branch of farming. Today a few of the Dominion’s most enterprising are importing pedigree animals. Their reward will come, not only from the increased demand for their young stock from within New Zealand, but also from an overseas trade which shows every prospect of growing in the near future.