FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1920, Page 10

FARM AND DAIRY.

N.Z. PRIESIAN CATTLE £3OO DERM. The New Zealand Friesian breeders are out to show that although their cattle already hold all the world's records for production their breed as a whole are far and away the greatest producers of butter-fat. The semiofficial test is the method by which breeders know the highest producers, and to encourage Friesian cattle breeders to enter their stock in large numbers for test the N.Z. Friesian Association decided at its annual meeting "to oifer prize money totalling £SOO annually for a Derby contest. This is by far the largest sum ever offered for a prize of the kind in Australasia, if not in the world, and shows what faith the breeders of the black and whites have in their cattle. The prize money will be divided as follows: — First prize, £250; second, £100; third, £SO; fourth, £3O; fifth, £2O; sixth, £ls; seventh, £l2 10s; eighth, £10; ninth, £7 10s; tenth, £5. At a meeting of the committee formed for the purpose, the following conditions were laid down for the conduct of the Derby:—Heifers eligible to compete for the first Derby mustjhave been born since 30th June, 1918, and prior to January 1, 1920. (For future Derbies, however, competitors must be entered as calves. This is with the object of encouraging breeders to give better anrl closer attention to the raising of their young stock). Heifers must be owned by members of the N.Z. Friesian Association, and registered in the Association's Herd Book. Entries will be accepted from Australian breeders of (a) heifers which were bred in New Zealand, and (b) daughters of New Zealand bred sires. Heifers entered by Australian breeders to be entered }h a recognised herd book. All entries must, be made on the form provided, and must reach the secretary! at Palmerston, North on or before 31st December, 1920. Nomination fee, 10s. ' All competitors 'must be entered on semi-official test before 31st December, 1921, and duly qualify in the two-year-old division. The competition shall be decided upon first-class certificates of production issued by the Department of Agriculture. The Department's system of allowance for age shall bo followed, the highest production of butter-fat above requirements for certificates to de- ' cide. An acceptance fee of 10s shall be payable on the date of entry in the semiofficial test. Late entries at the discretion of the Council may be accepted on or before that date on payment of a fine of £3 3s. District committees shall institute annual competitions for Derby candidates (yearlings), judged on type at all shows in their district, these replacing the present yearling heifer classes. At all metropolitan shows it shall be the aim to offer very substantial prizes for these classes, frizes should also be offered by district committees for the best records (in order of merit) made by Derby capdidates under S.O. test in thendistrict. Twenty per cent of the prize money offered in the Derby to go to the breeders of the prize winners. Competitors shall accept all readings of the rules by the Council as final. In conclusion, I would urge all owners of eligible animals to get busy with their entries, and make the scheme the overwhelming success it deserves to be.