New Zealand Stock in Victoria. Ayrishires.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 223, 8 October 1887, Page 5

New Zealand Stock in Victoria. Ayrishires.

While tho old breeders of this invaluable dairy cattle have increased the number of their exhibits, some now men have come up and the area of competition ha,3 been widened. Chief amongst the new exhibitors are Messrs A. and J. M'Farlnne, of Ayrshire Park, Taieri, New Zealand, who for some 15 yeai's past have given their attention to this breed of milkers. Judeed by their show records both in the D\medin and Oamaru yards, New Zealand, and in the old country, the Messrs M'Farla tie's cattle are always likely to be formidable in a show yard however high may be tho character of the stock they oppose. They are of what may be called the modern or light type of Ayrshires, closely approaching both in appearance and breeding the wellknown Barbiston herd dispersed some little time ago, the proprietors of both being originally in the possession of the Duke of Bucclcuch. Two of the bulls brought over in Mr M'Farlane's lot are very highly bred. Baron Renfrew's dam, Fancy, was bred by Mr John Caldwell, of Boyside, in Ayrshire, and to a breeder of this cla&s of stock this name carries much weight. Before being shipped to New Zealand he took several first prizes in Scottish bhow-yards. Much more celebrated, however, was Killoch 11, the dam of Tarawera, another of Mr M'Farlane's shows bulls, for in the Ayshire Derby of 1882 when in milk, she took first prize in a class of 87 competitors ; and was everal times first at Kilmarnock and Ayr before leaving the old country. With Ada of Drumlanrig, well known in the Melbourne show-yard, this cotf was probably one of the best ever taken out of Scotland, and the concentration of their young stock in the same show ring 1 was of itself an event. The bestcow in Mr M 'Farlane's lot was Rosina who, in New Zealand, has gained several first prizes as a cow in milk. And although not in fchow condition, there were points elsewhere to show that, as a milker, she probably had no lival amongst those of her own breed. Mr Pemuell, of Randwick, who sent over a contingent last year, was not on thfc occasion a competitor, the only exhibit from New South Wales being Duke, tho property of Mr Alfred Bennett, and another of the light type. With this very fine specimen of the modern Ayrshire, the New Zealand bull, baron Renfrew, who being just over two years, was obliged to go out against much older bulls, the champions of last year found a more difficult task before them. Lord Ronald, who has been first for two years in succession, was hardly in the same perfect condition as when shown last year, but still shapely. The contest was watched with much interest, but the awards left the Victoiian dahy herds a long way out of it. The New Zealand bull Baron Renfrew was placed first, and next to him came the Sydney bull Duke, while Lord Ronald, champion of the last two shows, was third only. The Victorian breeders had their revenge, however, in the next section, for after the Messrs M'Nab had got first prize for a two-year-old for Duke of Barbiston, they sent him into the ring and beat the aged bulls for the championship. This youngster, got by the imported bull Duke of Randwick, was first as a yearl%ig at the last show, and is a very handsomely coloured animal, the " dollar marks " being especially good. He was bred by the late Mr Richard Gibson, and bought by the Messrs M'Nab, with very gpod judgment, while the Barbiston herd was broken up. Mr David Munro was second with Tahuna, another handsomely marked bull. In another grand class of yearlings the Messrs M'Nab, of Oakbank, were to the fore again with Ada's Earl of Oakbank, and hereagainthe value of winning strain was illustrated, for the dam of this youngster is Ada of Drumlanrig, and his sire Duke of Randwick, both of the light type of Ayrshires. The cows were a magnificent lot, and umongst them were Princess, the champion of last year, and Pansy 3rd, the best three-year-old heifer of the same occasion. In this class, however, the judges seemed to have unanimously decided that milk should be the first recommendation, and with many other good cows they were set aside as being then dry. Mr M'Farlano was especially a sufferer by this decision, for most of his cows were timed for the Dunedin and Oamaru cows, and were consequently not now in profit. The example of New Zealand societies, where classes are formed for dry and milking Ayrshires, might befollowedwithprofithere. The New Zealand breeder did well notwithstanding, for he got first with his grand milk cow Rosina, and third in the same class with Russell, while Mr A. Camerons cow Violet divided the pair. For three-yoars-old the Messrs M'Nab came again, taking the prize with Blink Bonnie of Oakbank, who secured the Derby award also. Amongst the beaten heifers in this class was Diana, who was first as a two-year-old last August. In a meritorious class of 18 two-year-old heifers a pair entered for the Ayrshire Derby of next show, and which were first as yearlings last year, attracted a great deal of attention, these being Annie Laurie of Oakbank and Bluebell of Oakbank, both owned by Messrs M'Nab, Tullamarine. Each of these heifers has grown its full year, and neither has lost its comeliness. The first of the pair, now heavy in calf, is of the true Ayrshire colour and build, and likely to be a particularly good show cow. The ear-tip, a characteristic herd mark, is prominent Hercompanion, although lacking somo show points, is a milk cow all over, the udder being thrown well forward and the escutcheon wonderfully good in a cow of her age. In walking she has the straddle of the dairy cow, and however the other may beat her in the show-ring, this one— not just now apparently in pei'fect health — will always be a rare milker ; and the Ayrshire is nothing if nofc a "milk mill." Ifc was the chief requirement yesterday, and therefore Bluebell of Oakbank being in milk, while the other was not, got the prize. The Messrs M'Nab wound up a highly successful day by taking first and second for yearlings with Fleurette of Oakbank and Fancy 2nd, and as breeders who have given constant attention to the breed for years past, their signal success was fully merited.

At the sale of stock afterwards one of Mr A. Camerons cows was the only animal offered that reached three figures, bub nearly the wliole draft from the Messrs M'Farlane's New Zealand herd realised good prices. A great many of the Jersey cattle were passed in, the prices offered not being considered satisfactory. The following prices were realised by ! New Zealand stock ;—; — On account of A, and J. M'Farlanc, Now Zea land. Gs. Tarawora, Mr D. Mitchell. Lillydale . . 57£ Lord Salisbury, Mr D. MDonald, Cowlej 's creok 27J Rosina, Mr T. Peate, Sydney 60 ! Russell, W. Cunningham and Son, Mount Fyans . . . . 87J Lottie 2nd, Mr G. Rolfe, Warrnamhooil . . 60 Daisy, , Mr G. Patterson, Crossley .. ..25 Itatrina 11, Mr W M'ltorie, Boort . . . . 27* Kate, Mr J. Hay. Lysterflcld 32fr On account of Mr James Gcinmoll, Now Zealand. Prince of Wales, Mr T. Peato 17J Lord Salisbury, Mr S White 17£ Castor. Mr L. G. Calvcrt, Colac . . . . 15" Pollux, Mr G. Fowler, Glenlyon „ ..15 Dar. ing Mr W. Woodward, Benalla .. . 171 The Bard, Mr A. Hawke 12* Cockppn, Mr P. Egan. Brighton .. . . 12£ Ayrshire Lad, Mr D. Junor, Epping . 20 On account of Mr George King, New Zealand. Flower Ist, Mr D. Mitchell 20 Lady Ist, Mr D. Mitchell 174 Miss M'Kerrow 3rd, Mr D Mitchell . . . . 28J Young 1 lailodil, Mr D. Mitchell . . . . 15 Young Lady, Mr W. Woodward . . .17 Beauty, Mr I). Mitchell 17* Bell 2nd, Mr T. N. Grierson 17| Queenie, Mr W. Woodward 17 Maud. Mr Argill, Lillydalc 15 On account of Mr G. M. Bell, of Wantwood : Brittany bull, 3 ! gs; Brittany cow, Sgs; do» lO^s; do, 7gs; do, 9gs ; Brittany heifer, 7gs. Melbourne Argus.