SAVING STUD STOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 2

SAVING STUD STOCK

BIG WASTAGE FROM' WAR CHANNEL ISLAND HERDS A discussion initiated by Mr. R. C. Todhunter at the meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association on the possibility of saving some of the famous English stud sheep from the effects of the war has recently had pointed reference in the Channel 1slands. The most recent advices are indefinite on what has become of the many famous herds of cattle that the islands supported, but breeders, and in fact all farmers in Great Britain, have proved most sympathetic with the Islanders. It was known that a number , of herds, or a selection of the best animals from them, had been removed from some of the islancs, notably from Guernsey, and taken to England, but it was feared that the devastation among the rest would have been complete. Wherever they have gone the Germans have shown little appreciation of the value of animals for breeding, but, with the urgency of the food position in their own country and in those countries they have occupied pushing them on, they have taken cattle for slaughter in vast numbers. That was the experience in Denmark and Holland, and it is not to be expected that they would have been any more kind to the Channel Islands. One English journal recently recorded the rather tragic news that some time before the first German bombing of the islands early in July, a large part of the population had heen removed, but that most of the farming population was reluctant to go. This attitude of mind can well be imagined. By leaving to the German mercy his herd, an Islander would not be leaving merely so many cattle valued at so much, but would be leaving for destruction blood that had acquired its merit through generations of expert breeding. The tragedy is that this peculiar admixture of breed, skill and soil can never be replaced. Once gone it has gone forever. What the eventual effects of the war | will be on the breeding flocks and hertls of the world no man can say, but wilh important European countries denuded, j it appears reasonably certain that after | the war there will be a wider oppor- j tunity for New Zealand. Whether Mr. | Todhunter's scheme will turn out to be j possible or not, the sentiment that , brought it to light will doubtless be re- ' ceived with grateful appreciation by the breeders of Britain. '