JERSEY CATTLE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1916, Page 7

JERSEY CATTLE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING, The annual meeting of the N.Z. Jersey Breeders' Association >vas lielil in Hawera last Thursday, Mr. C. 13. C. Dernier presiding. Thcrc i was a good attendance of delegates. The annual report, already published, referred to the fact that 97 cows had been awarded certificates by the Government Department of Agriculture as the result of semi-official tests conducted by them. Jt also referred to the fact that Volume 13 of the Herd Hook, which is in the press, will contain the pedigrees of 854 heifers .and. C 39 bulls, thus bringing the total number of registered cattle up to 424 and 5301 respectively. In addition, the particulars of the milk and butter-fat records of the 07 cows which have been awarded certificates by the Department of Agriculture, during the past year, as stated above, will appear in the Herd Book, together with halftone plates of the cows which won gold medals. The whole of the records made to date in the semi-official tests will able be published in pamphlet form and distributed throughout the Dominion. It is considered that these records will in this way be found of great use as advertising the milk and buter-fat priloucing powers of the Jersey.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman (Mr. C. G. Garner) said; It is very gratifying to be able. to record a very successful year, both in the furthering of the objects of the Association and in the growth and popularity of our breed amongst the dairymen of the Dominion. The finances of the Association must be regarded as being in a very healthy condition, for our total assets now amount to £1634 Is Bd, the profit for'the year just closed being- £97 12s 2d. As regards the breed itself, for the advancement and improvement of which the Association exists, it is pleasing to know that up to April 40 last, there were 49 more semiofficial records made by Jersey cows than by cows of the whole of our rival oreeds combined. For the period ending April 30 last, the average production of the 97 cows was 421.351bs butter-fat, an increase of 22.7 lbs butter-fat per cow over the previous year, and which raises tlie average for the 282 cow that have won certificates since the inception of the test,.from 39S.G51bs butter-fat to 40(1.43 lbs butter-fat. The performance of one cow in particular is worthy of special mention. I refer to Lady of Colllingwood. This cow produced in three successive lactation periods (lie splendid record of 1863.411bs butter fat, an average production of G21.1311bs butter-fat per year. She completed all the conditions of her last record ivhen 5 years llSdays of age, and I haVe yet to learn of a better record, made at a like age, hy any cow, of any breed, in any part of the world. Due credit, must be given to her breeder and tester, Mr. F. K. Hellyer. for his splendid demonstration of the fact that the Jersey cow is a profitable investment for dairy farmers, and the result he has achieved should be of the greatest encouragement to all Jerse; breeders and enthusiasts. The mattei of advertising the breed to advantage has been considered at different timet by the Council, but owing to tlie failure of members to respond to the circulars sent out by the office, inviting particulars of matlers of interest to the Association, Lhe effort, has 30t been at successful as should be expected. Breeders themselves are the people wlio possess the required information, and it ic to them we look for a supply of mfiter for publication. The Council have nov: gone a step further and have decided to purchase for publication any origina' article of sufficient merit on Jersey matters generally. I need hardly say that any attempt at personal advertisement must be excluded. Members do not appear to place any value on ad' :r Using even as a means of disposing of their own cattle. Now, L should lik to emphasise the fact that though the immediate benefits of advertisement arc i indirect, it would, in a year or two re | act to the direct advantage of tin ] breeders, by the creation of a [jUa'-oi I demand for Jerseys consequent 'inoii f ; wider recognition of their au flority j and merits. As sho,rn by the ;Spcrt.; which is before you, tho Count! have | decided to expend a proportion » its J funds in encouraging breeders t. liiakc i more and higher records, and i) funds permit, I hope to see this systen o£ assisting breeders extended in tlx. rear future. Had this system been in c'peration during the yast- year 57 oul jf the 97 cows which were awarded cer lcat.es ] would have earned the subsidy of G1 is. Should this method of encourtw-ii.g testing increase in tho future, it xrll become a fairly heavy charge on (lis funds of the Association, which rho.iUl be justified by the results obtained, j ers should realise the necessity, not only of making more tests, but alsv of niak ing higher records. How often do you come across (lie man who makes a boasl that his cows have only received ordinary herd treatment while under test While regretting, perhaps, that all tests are not made under ordinary herd conditions, we must recognise that "when in Rome, we must do as the Romans do," and as long as other breeds and other breeders with whom we are in competition, continue to stuff their cattle, the man who continues the ordinary treat ment is doing himself and the breed an injury. In saying this I am not advocating high or expensive feeding oil grain, oilcake, condiments, etc.; in fact, I believe it is unnecessary to buy sixpence worth of feed to make good records, but 1 do think a breeder can afford to take a little trouble to provide a few extra small paddocks for the purpose of giving his cows a regular change of pasture, and to grow oats, barley, clover, lucerne, etc., from which he can also made a supply of good hay for the winter, thus giving his cows a better chance. I venture to Say that if every breeder followed these lines, we would have fewer cows getting through their tests with a small margin above their minimum requirements. Another matter that I would like to refer to is the casual way in which some breeders select their bulls, cheapness apparently being the first qualification. While some of tlicm do not seem to mind paying SO or till guineas for a cow, IH to 25 guineas is evidently considered enough to pay for a hull to mate her with. When you consider the relative value of each in the herd surely this is a suicidal policy, and one that must do considerable injury to flic breed. I hope before long that we shall refuse to accept for registration in the Herd Book any bulls but those out of tested cows, and thus give a person who is buying a registered bull, a guarantee, not only that lie is pure bred, but that ho is also "butter bred." Such a provision would be a great inducement to breeders to have their cows tested. It is to be regretted that the class at Shows for tested cows, instituted by the Council in connection with different A. and P. Associations, have not been better supported, but T hope that as tested cows become more numerous, breeders will give these classes more attention. In conclusion, I would point out that the times through which we are passing are every abnor-

mal, and that the present demand for beof cattle may detrimentally affect our breed for a time, but I venture to predict that if such should be the case, in a few years' time the demand for Jerseys will be greater than it has ever been before. Mr. Kirkwood advocated a wider system of testing, similar to that done at some of the co-operative dairy factories. The report showed that only !)7 cows had qualified under the Government semi-of-ficial test, which must really be considered unsatisfactory; the cost should be made lighter, so that a farmer could test any cow lie wished to, and an average test over three or four years demonstrating the economic value of the Jersey breed would be better than the present semi-official method of testing. Mr. Griffiths endorsed the Chairman's remarks, particularly in the matter of a more careful selection of the best bulls. All the evidence showed that the best bulls bred the most profitable stock, and it was surprising to him when he was breeding pedigree, stock that he scarcely sold any pedigree bulls to breeders of pedigree stock. It was also surprising-to him that pedigree Jersey breeders were not more anxious to get sons of K.C.B. ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL. The secretary announced the result of the election of three members to the council as follows:—Taranaki district: H. B. Lcpper and C. Goodson. Wellington and West Coast: C. G. C, Dermer (unopposed). (

T! EMITS. ROYAL SHOW OF PRIZEWINNERS. The following remit was then considered—(Stratford) : That the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association is of the opinion that it is in the best interests of the breeders of all live stock that the live stock show in Palmerston North be a Royal Show, where only prize winners at other shows may compete—that the Manawatu A. and P. Association be approached and if found in favor of the proposal, that the N.Z. Jersey Breeders' Association immediately approach other Breed Associations asking their co-operation with a, view to bringing the proposal to a successful issue. A considerable discussion took place on this remit. There was a general feeling that it would be an excellent thing if there could be a kind of a Royal .Show, or one big show each year where the prizes and inducements would be, such as to warrant breeders from all over the Dominion sending their verybest stock for competition. In such a case the Government could subsidise it; the public could there see all ,the champions in competition, and the places of honor would be worth striving for. Palmerston was the most, central, and had the best accommodation for stock, and should, at all events, be the place chosen for the initiation of the project. The difficulties to bo met with, however, wore many. If only winners at the other shows were eligible for competition at the Royal Show, it would very materially reduce, the number of entries, and it was questionable whether an A. and P. Association could finance it jiinder those conditions. Under present I conditions the dates of the various shows i were arranged in sequence, so as not s P, ° clash, but if Palmerston North, for instance. were made a Roval Show, it i would necessarily have to'be held after i all the it her centres had had their shows, i '.n oi l t that the various prize-winners could be ascertained—that is if the show j were for prize-winners only. At Home lar.d in America they had enormous numbers of cattle to show from, but if this i prill? pic were adopted in New Zealand, j they fould probably find that the entries jtfou be 6o small that after the first | yeai A. and P. people would drop it. jFiif't T'more, the smaller shows would jsufiei because the best stock would be jl'oM oixck and kept in the best pos|SiWc condition for tho big events. In . any case awards at the various shows .were merely one man's opinion, and many a breeder would like to show an animal which he fancied (although not placed by the judge at the particular chow) against the local show prizewinners in the Royal or big show. An amendment was moved that the words ''where only prize-winners at other 'how.", may compote" be struck out. Mr. Griffiths, in supporting this amendment, said it would not kill the object, but would put it forward for further discussion by other associations, and possibly something would be evolved in the direction they were seeking. It would not prejudice other shows, and.it, would be a groat advantage to Jersey breeders to have one "big" show. The amendment was carried.

Semi-official Testing' Classes. That tho N.Z.J.C.B. Association Council be urged to increase the semi-official classes to eight, viz., one each for junior and senior 2, 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, The mover of this remit said that the idea was to follow the American Association and to give a greater incentive to breeders if the different classes had more honors offering to enter more cattle. They would not then have first and second calves in the same class as they did now, or a junior heifer competing with a senior heifer. The chairman opposed the resolution, contending that if they were going to make the winning of medals so easy they would have no honor attaching to them and would become valueless, At present a senior 2-year-old had to make 30ibs more butter-fat than a junior. Mr. Griffiths believed that if this resolution wore carried, instead of, having ninety odd in the semi-official test, they would have nearer 200, and the greatest increase would be in young cattle, anil the first and second calvers would receive more consideration. The resolution was carried. Grade Bulls. That the council again circularise breeders prohibiting the sale of grade bulls.—Curried, Judges' List. That the judges' list bo cancelled, and the council to appoint new judges for a period of two years. After some discussion Mr. Griffiths moved, as an amendment—That the council revise the judges' list every year. Mr. Meßae seconded the amendmnt, which was carried.

Tattoo Marking. Tnab the Council bo urged, to enquire into the use of the tattoo car mark, and, if found suitable, to enforce the use of same. The motion was carried. Branding Animals.. , That the council lie urged to fix a penalty for non-compliance of the regulation of the branding of animals before registration. In a general discussion it was evident that members desired that some penalty should be inflicted for a nonobservance of the rule, and carried the remit. Records. That a prize of 25 guineas be offered for the first cow to obtain a certificate of record with % production of 8501bs or more of butter-fat.—Carried.

j HERD BOOK. Some misconception appeared to exist in regard to the method of the distribution of the Herd Book. In reply to a question the secretary explained that the subscription of the Association was one guinea to members not entering stock in the Herd Book, and £1 8s 6d to members entering stock, and this included a free copy of the book. Mr. Griffiths thought that, as the Herd Book was an essential part of the Association, every member should help pay the cost of it. It appeared from the balance-sheet that the Association was losing about £3O a year in printing this book, and he moved that the subscription to the Association in future be 30s and that a copy of the Herd Book be sent to every member. It was pointed out that the Association had a great many members who could be looked upon as honorary members, who now owned no stock, but who remained members just because of their love and enthusiasm for the Jersey. If they were forced to pay an extra 9s a year for a book for which they had no use it would mean that they would not continue as members, and the Association did not want to lose them, Members could always get a copy of the Herd Book by notifying the secretary, and the secretary would circularise all members in plenty of time so that he could see just how many books were required and arrange his ordei with the printer accordingly. Members generally took this view, and Mr. Griffiths 1 motion was lost.

IN APPRECIATION. Mr. Harkness moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. R. J. Linn, who had resigned from the council consequent oii having gone out cf his pedigree Jerseys. The motion was carried with acclamation, and Mr. Linn briefly and feelingly replied to the expressions of good will. Votes of thanks to the council, the chairman and secretary terminated the meeting. •' .The next conference will be held in Auckland.