DEHORNING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1938, Page 3

DEHORNING

MERITS NOW RECOGNISED. Farm practice is likely to do what Government inaction has failed to do in the important matter of dehorning. The merits of hornless breeds are now being recognised, to an extent, it is obvious, which is steadily displacing breeds that still carry the useless decoration. The rapid adoption of the Aberdeen-Angus breed in about 75 per cent of the pastoral country of the Dominion, and the popularity of the breed for crossing for the beef trade are bringing a greater number of dehorned cattle into the market. Representations by different organisations have been made to the Government on various occasions to initiate some policy that would ultimately achieve the object, but without result. In most countries today dehorned, or "dis”-horned, cattle are selling at a premium, and in the Dominion’s own cattle yards the preference for the meat of the hornless beast is becoming increasingly apparent. It might not be unwise to include in the conditions governing the forthcoming national fat cattle show at Addington a preference for hornless cattle, although most of those entered last year for the show were minus their horns. With the Polled Hereford and the slower introduction of the Polled Shorthorn to assist the Aberdeen-An-gus and the Red Poll breeds there should be a decreasing necessity to invoke the aid of the authorities in achieving the reform. The actual dehorning, which many well meaning but poorly informed people think is cruelty, could be obviated by the simple process of dishorning the young calf. If this were done there would be very few horned beef cattle in the country in a few years. It is interesting to note that the dehorning movement in New South Wales, which has been supported by the Australian Meat Council, is bearing fruit. A recent report states that there is definite evidence that beef cattle breeders and fatteners are more and more generally breeding off the horns, dehorning young cattle, or tipping older ones. Despite some opinions to the contrary, there is evidence, too, that buyers in several of the leading fat cattle markets of the State, are paying a little more for cattle that are polled, dehorned, or tipped.