AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1921, Page 2

AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

ANNUAL MEETING OF N.Z. ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Ayrshire Breeders’ Association was held at Palmerston North on Wednesday evening. Mr. T. Webb presided and there was an attendance of about 30 members. THE YEAR'S WORK. Tlie annual report stated that during the year they had added considerably to th|e> membership, many of the new members, showing their Interest by entering their stock In the terd book. During the year three district branches had been formed, one in Southland, one fa Wairarapa, and one in Hawke's Bay. Another pleasing feature was the good prices paid for Ayrshires, the highest price for New Zealand having been reached during the year. It was hoped that when the new rules for the registration of animals were fa force prices generally for Ayreklres would materially harden. It was pleasing to note the growing demand for Ayrshires in Java. During the past few months qu!.te a considerable number of animals had been exported from New Zealand to this country. Extremely good records had been attained under the semi-official testing during the year, and the excellent butter-fat returns proved without a doubt that the Ayrshires could hoi(Llheir own with any otter breeds. Herd Book vol. VII. had been published, but owing to the increased size the price had been increased to 255. To assist members, however, it had been decided that the books in hand shall be dispensed of from vol. I to VI. at 7s 6d p£r copy and the complete set. Including voL VII., at £2 10s. In spite of the increased cost of printing vol. VII. the finance of the association was up to the standard of last year.

In moving the adoption of tte report and balance-sheet, the president said during tho year he had travelled 1500 miles to many shows and had seen many herds. On the whole the stock was far better than he expected. They were well-grown and healthy, but many farmers were overstocked. He had come to tte conclusion that all the best cattle had not found their way into the show ring. He believed that more should go fa for testing. Mr. Kyle seconded the 'motion, which was carried.

Championship medals and certificates were presented as fellows: South Island—Me. Weir’s cow “Highland Mary,” and Mr, Allen Salt’s bull “Birchwood Grandeur II ” North Island—Porirua Mental Hospital cow “Laura X,’’ and Porirua. Mental Hospital’s bull “Style II.” ’ The prizes to the winners in tte Derby were presented as follows: Porirua Hospital 1 and 5, Mt. Montgomery 2, Mr. Buchanan 3, and Messrs. Maitland and Howett 4.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. • The following officers were elected: President, Mr. Carson; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. Webb, F. Mills and Hansen; committee, Messrs. J. Bowden, T. Webb, G. Carter, Morgan, Acheson, Johnston and W. Hall;, secretary, Mr. G. Tonka; patron, Mr. Andrew Macfarlane; treasurer, Mr. A. Montgomerie; auditor, Mr. F. Mills. Mr. T. Webb moved that vice-presidents be elected on© from each branch, th© chairman, ex-offleers, to be the vice-presidents, or anyone whom he may appoint, the district branches to be divided according to th© educational district (five for tte North Island and four for the South Island). Mr. Montgomerie moved an amendment, namely: “That th© presidents of all district brandies or their appointees be vice-presi-dents.” This was seconded by Mr. Carter. Mr. Mills thought It unnecessary to define the districts, and suggested that the last part of the resolution be struck out. Mr. Webb withdrew his motion in favor of the amendment, which was carried. DEHORNED STOCK. Mr. Montgomerla moved: (1) “That all dehorned Ayrshire cattle, either male or female, shall be eligible to compete in all Ayrshire classes at any show and shall have no points deducted for want of same, all judges to be notified to this effect.” Mr. Montgomerie said it was permissible to lift horns and he saw no reason why they should not be permitted to remove them. The horns were a danger to man and beast. Th© motion was lost. THE HERD BOOK. Mr. Kyle moved: “That owing to the small number of purebred Ayrshire cattle in New Zealand compared with other dairy breeds, and to allow them a full opportunity of taking their place amongst the dairy herds, the Council of the N.Z. Ayrshire Breeders' Association take the necessary steps to make the conditions of entry in the Herd Book the same as the conditions prevailing in Herd Books of Great Britain and Ireland.” Mr. Kyle, in speaking to his motion, quoted figures fa proof of his contention that the Ayrshire was the best dairy cow in the World. Allowing for a mistake made in g!.ving the return from Mr. F. Mills' cow in the records, the Ayrshires beat the average of the Jerseys in New Zealand. The figures for Mr. Mills' cow had been given as 382.64 Instead of 582.64. The average for the Jersey had been 414.10 lbs of butter-fat, and taking the corrected figures for Mr. Mills’ cow the average for tte i Ayrshire was 416.60. Mr. Webb proposed an amendment, namely: “That all minutes relating to entrance fees be rescinded and the following be substituted: Animals up to 1 year, members 5s and nonmembers 10s; up to 2 years 10s and £1; up to 3 years 15s and £1 10s; these fees to come into force on January 1, 1922, and atter that date the Herd Book be classed to any animal over three years.” Mr. Campbell seconded the amendment.

Mr. Carter moved, as a further amendment, that the limit be two years. This was particularly desirable in respect to bulls which did not develop always within a year. Mr. Johnston seconded pro forma. Mr. Mills said ix would euse the minds of & good many to know that the committee had decided to extend the time of entry till the next November show. He Intended to oppose both the amendment and motion. Mr. Kyle withdrew his motion in favor of Mr. Webb's amendment. Mr. Carter’s amendment was then put and lost, and Mr. Webb’s amendment was also lost. GENERAL. Mr. Weir moved that efforts be made In the direction of establishing a 300 day semi-official test. It was stated that efforts had already been made in this direction without success. The question of whether tte association should continue to advertise the Ayrshire was discussed at some length, the general feeling being that it was desirable in the interests of breeders to do so. It was finally decided to continue advertising. In reply to Mr. Weir, Mr. Webb said the committee had not lost sight of the butterfat Derby, and if there was sufficient support from the breeders they would organise the competition. Mr. F. Mills pointed out that they could not definitely pledge themselves to the Derby at the meeting. Much would depend on whether they could get the departmental fee reduced from £5. It would also be difficult to award points for type, seeing that the Derby would cover both islands, and it would not be possible to get the whole of the cows into one place. After discussion a motion was carried that district Derbys for butter-fat and type be held, provided the department’s fee is reduced to £3 3s.