SHORTHORN BREED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 9

SHORTHORN BREED

DOMINION BODY MEETING POPULARITY OF STOCK PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS “There is evidence on every hand that the Milking Shorthorn fills the needs of the New Zealand dairyfarmer, and members of the association in practically every district find-little difficulty in disposing of any stock of merit,’’ said Mr W. J. Slack, president of the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association In his report presented at the annual meeting held in Hamilton last evening. “We now close one of the most successful and progressive years in the history of the association," he added-

I So encouraging had been the demand for the breed, continued Mr j Slack, that several breeders had ’ launched out and expended consider- ; able capital on the importation of new I blood. He congratulated them on i their activity and confidence, and on ! behalf of members wished them suc- | cess, for not only were they endeavj curing to improve their own stud herds, but they were infusing new blood which would do much towards the advancement of the breed in the Dominion. In the latest herd hook, now in the printer’s hands, were listed 1211 bulls and 2930 females, a record for the breed. The association to-day had 1 the second highest membership of any ! cattle breed association in New Zea- ! land. Trophies Presented “Through the generosity of one of our oldest members, Mr William Park, j Panehakua, Waikato, the association ; has recently received a handsome sili ver challenge cup. This is donated j for competition at Royal Shows and j awarded to the exhibitor of the best I male and female. We here desire to express our thanks to Mr Park for his generous gift, and in recognition it is my own wish as president of the association to present a miniature cup to the first winner. “Another valuable silver cup has this year been presented through the Waikato branch by one of its members, Mr J. N. Thirlwell, Silverdale Road, Hamilton. This trophy is to be known as the Thirlwell Challenge Gup, awarded to the best 3-year-old heifer or cow in milk, exhibited at the Waikato Show* each year. The Waikato branch has decided to present a miniature cup annually to the successful exhibitor in recognition of the generosity of Mr Thirlwell. “Still another donation comes from our organising secretary, Mr A. W. Green. This is a gold medal to be awarded annually to the member who submits to the association each year the best historical dissertation on the Milking Shorthorn breed. The first subject is to cover the early history of the breed and its development in this Dominion with special reference to progress achieved during the current year. “The splendid work undertaken by members to make the Milking Shorthorn section one of the most attractive and leading features at the Royal Shows, is to be commended. At every Royal Show, Milking Shorthorns have been well represented, and congratulations are extended to all exhibitors. Interest In Testing “Further interest has been displayed in G.O.R- testing, and the association’s C.O.R. Testing Cup, presented to the owner of the cow or heifer gaining | the highest yield for the Dominion I over her standard to qualify, was won Jby Messrs R. S. Allan and Sons, Hatuma, Hawke’s Bay. Their wonderful cow, Allandale Lady Clare, has again come out on top as the Dominion’s leading cow for the breed. This is all the more creditable when it is remembered that the present performance is the third consecutive C.O.R. record. Milk, 16,326-9 lbs. But-terfat, 686.29 lbs. In order to encourage further interest in C.O.R. testing, the association decided to award a cash prize of £lO, in conjunction with the C.O.R. Testing Cup. “The balance-sheet shows the association to be in a very sound position, and we have eclipsed even the success of the previous record year.” Election of Officers The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr J. H. S- Allan (Hatuma) ; senior vice-president, Mr C. T. Grant (Invercargill); junior vice-president, Mr R. D. 'Cochrane (Kereone); treasurer, Mr J. Searle (Kaipaki) ; auditor, Mr C. W. Armstrong; delegates to the ! Dairy Breeds’ Federation, Messrs AlI lan and A. W. Green.

The presentation of trophies won during the year was then made by the president. A notice of motion that a polled section be added to the herd book and that absence of horn as grounds for disqualification ip judging the standard of excellence of the breed be deleted. was then moved by Mr J. R. Ranstead.

He pointed out that hornless sports had occurred in the breed, although bred from horned cattle- There was no suggestion that the absence of horn was due to the presence of foreign blood. The motion was carried. It was decided to hold the next annual meeting in Palmerston North. Smoke Concert Held At the conclusion of the annual meeting a smoke concert was held, when the following toasts were honoured : "The King.” “The New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association,'’ proposed by Mr u. U. Ilall and replied to by Mr \\. J. Slack and Mr G. Jones. “The Franklin Branch,” Mr .1. Searle; reply, Mr J. McGowan. "The Southland Branch,” Mr A. D. Bell; reply, Mr E. Struthers- "The Wellington Branch,” Mr A. Fisher; reply, Mr W. J. Thomas. “The Marlborough Branch," Mr R. D. Cochrane; reply, Mr J. Ward. “The Waikato Branch,” Mr .1. 11. S. Allan; reply, Mr J. Searle; “Point Blank” (official organ of the association), Mr W. J. Slack; reply, Mr G. Vavasour; "The Canterbury Branch,” Mr N- Duxlield; reply. Mr C. Munnings. “The Secretary,” Mr G. D. Hall; reply, Mr A. \V. Green. "The Artists," Mr Hall; reply, Mr J. T. Battersby. Items were given by Messrs P. Herlihy (songs), J. T. Battersby and R. Green (elocution). Mr Battersby was the accompanist