THE FRIESIAN BREED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 12

THE FRIESIAN BREED

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION POINTS RECOMMENDED TO BREEDERS The need for greater attention to udder formation was stressed by the Royal Show judge, Mr H. J. Marchant, of Cardiff, Taranaki, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Friesian Association, which was held at the Show, Grounds yesterday afternoon. The president, Mr H. E. Johnson, of Tokaora, Hawera, presided. Commenting on the animals wtneb had been exhibited in the show, Mr Marchant said he found there was great room for improvement in the udders of the cows and heifers, and he urged breeders to give this matter their close attention. In the younger cattle, the udder weakness was not nearly so marked. Heads were fairly good on the whole, but there was still room for improvement. In congratulating the Canterbury exhibitors on the fine showing they had made, the president said breeders would be well advised to pay attention to producing the best Friesian type. Udder weakness was one of the things which should be eliminated in order that the breed should receive full recognition of its merits. Observations of Friesian herds in various parts of the world were given by the secretary, Mr J. P. Kalaugher, of Auckland, who recently returned from a tour of Great Britain, Europe, and North America. Mr Kalaugher said he had seen some of the herds in Australia, and they did not compare favourably with the New Zealand herds. The British Friesian herds were much the same in quality as the New Zealand herds, but some breeders were importing very fine bulls from Holland, which would play a large part in conserving the best type. In Holland and Germany the Friesian herds had reached a high standard of excellence, and even in Denmark 20 per cent, of the cattle were Friesians. Of the rest, 60 per cent, were the Red Danish cattle, a strong, coarse animal similar to a rough type of red Shorthorn. Conditions in America In North America, Mr Kalaugher said he saw herds which were kept under the most favourable conditions. The housing arrangements were as nearly perfect as they could be made, and no trouble was too great to ensure that live stock were kept in the most comfortable condtions. At the Colony Farm, near Vancouver, was the best herd he had ever seen. The animals were not only of good general type, but they had excellent production records. “I have come back with the impression that feeding methods in New Zealand are wrong,” Mr Kalaugher added. “Something is lacking which causes our cattle to lose size, and thus depart from the ideal type laid down. Feeding in other countries is much more intense, and I believe that it is possible to improve the size of our cows by more attention to this question.” Other members agreed that better feeding would be successful in improving the size of stock, and thus preserving a good type. Miniature cups were presented .to the winners in the bull and cow championship classes who were:— Champion bull, A. and J. Rainey (Flaxton). Hanley Prince Echo Milkmaid; champion cow, D. A. Cadwallader (Greytown), Woodlea Diamond.