POLLED SHORTHORNS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1936, Page 16

POLLED SHORTHORNS

IMPORTATIONS FROM U.S.A.

SOME NOTABLE ANIMALS

Although the number of beef shorthorn herds in New Zealand is limited, there is a keen local demand lor polled shorthorns and a very considerable inquiry from Australia for cattle of this breed There are two extensive polled South Canterbury. Both breeders have been active in importing from the United States of America. -The first bull imported by Mr. John Donald, Highland Stamp, was one of the best woven bulls in America and sired quite a number of outstanding chamPlMr.'Grant has just imported one. of Highland Stamp's, best daughters, Loch Dale Gloster F, which ; is undoubtedly one of the best/ types of the breed to be brought to New Zealand; She is a beautiful roan heifer and should, if shown, win prizes in the best company in New Zealand. She is equally well bred on the dam's side, being from the Duchess' of Gloster family.' She is full of the best polled Shorthorn blood in America ilnd; as she was mated before being shipped from America -to the most outstanding prize-winning bull of the past season, Oakwood Emperor, should produce a very valuable calf for Mr. Grant. Recently; r Mr. Grant, also added to his herd the imported polled Shorthorn bull, Elm Grove Gondolier. This is the second sire he has imported from America for his herd. • ,■

At the same time there was. imported for Mr. John Donald the outstanding prize-winning bull, Oakwood Royal Marquis. On the recommendation of Mr: C. E. Robertson, who saw this outstanding bull when in America last' year, negotiations' have been car-rie'd-on on behalf of Mr. Donald for some considerable time in an endeavour to purchase this bull and eventually he was secured, but at a price which is the highest that has been paid for a polled Shorthorn bull for many years^ .He was an outstanding winner wherever shown last year in America including the International Show.

The. thr-se top sires behind this bull were all international grand champions and each sired a son to win a grand championship at the International Show. His dam, a famous prizewinning red cow in Messrs. Teegardin and Sons' Oakwood herd—the outtianding polled Shorthorn herd 'in 'tjorftLAmerica—is a sister to Oakwood .\ffifsie G, another famous prize-winner, ■"flfiile another close relative is Oakwood MissieE, junior champion at the International Show in 1932. Oakwood Royal Marquis is a beautiful roan in colour, is low-set, with plenty of good quality bone, and is a bull of great thickness and substance and considered to be the best hind-quartered bull that has been exported from America. Mr. F. W. Harding* the well-known American Shorthorn judge, considers he is the best bull that has yet been exported from America and, as his sire, Oakwood Royal King, has sired more winners at the leading shows in America during the past three seasons than any. other bull, ..it is contended that Oakwood Royal Marquis should prove invaluable as a sire. Mr. Donald was probably lucky to secure such a bull as some months ago Messrs. Teegardin and Sons, the breeders of Oakwood Royal Marquis, were unfortunate enough to lose liis sire.

The importation of polled Shorthorns of such outstanding American breeding should prove very advantageous to the cattle breeders of the Dominion as this breed is likely to come very much into fayour in New Zealand in connection with the development of the chilled beef trade. It is making tremendous progress in Australia, bull calves of the breed having sold there at prices ranging from 120 to 200 guineas.

In this issue the Railway Department advertises the issue of cheap fares and train arrangements on November 6 (People's Day) in connection with the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Show, which is being held at Palmerston North on November 5;, 6, and 7.

-Licences were needed by Russians who wished to wear beards in the reign of Peter the Great, who put a heavy tax on the "face fungus." His aim was to make his, people shave in European style. ' .'.' . '. . '',".'