Stud Cattle Purchases From America Advocated

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28543, 24 March 1958, Page 9

Stud Cattle Purchases From America Advocated

(New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON N., March 23. “Cattle breeding in the United Kingdom is a highly profitable commercial operation as long as subsidies exist,” Mr J. Evans, a well-known stud stock buyer, said in Palmerston North today. But the high cost of labour and the necessity for stall feeding, meant that beef was expensive to produce, he said.

Fattening cattle were almost all crossbreds and only a few purebred store cattle were seen. On the other hand, pig production.

which was on an extensive basis in the United Kingdom, was confined almost to purebreds. Crossbreeding was used extensively in the sheep industry and practically no purebred sheep came to the butchers’ clocks. In many cases, sheep bred for fattening carried two, three and even four crosses of various pure breeds. Mr Evans has just returned to Ne5V ' Zealand after a business trip abroad to purchase stud stock for New Zealand clients at the Perth sales and in Britain, the United States and Canada. “Breeders in New Zealand could do well to forget the prejudice which exists in this country against American pedigree work and purchase bulls from the United States to regain the heads and bone and maintain the substance in our cattle,’’ he

advised. Shorthorns in North America were making rapid strides, and many of the herds were as good as herds in Britain today. This had been brought about by Canadian and American buyers purchasing the top bulls at Perth over the last few years.

Herefords in Britain did not enjoy a big export trade mainly because of South American currency restrictions said Mr Evans. Breeders did not appear to pay much attention to the walking ability of cattle, which was essential for New Zealand hill-country conditions. In the United States, Mr Evans inspected Polled Hereford herds. “There is no question that Polled Herefords are firmly established in the United States, and their influence is becoming increasingly

felt throughout the world. Last year, a buying deputation from Herefordshire visited America and, as a result, a considerable shipment was made to the United Kingdom.” Sheep breeding appeared to be at its best in the north of England and Scotland, he said. Flocks from there provided ewes for most of the fat lamb production. Scottish Blackfaces were a majestic-looking sheep and did a wonderful job under rigorous conditions, although the finished carcase was a poor-looking specimen on the hooks. Border Leicester-North Country Cheviot-cross appeared to be the

most useful ewe for the fat lamb trade and was used extensively in Scotland and on the border.

The North Country Cheviot was a bigger and heavier-boned sheep than the Cheviot in New Zealand. It had short, dense wool, and was hardy.

Border Leicesters were bigger and heavier boned than similar sheep here, but the wool was considerably finer. When they were crossed with a North Country Cheviot they produced a ewe which was exceptionally hardy, prolific, and a good “milker/* Mr Evans said. Southd jwm were a small minority in the United Kingdom today and the Kent Romney Marsh were of a type which would not be associated with the Romney Marsh in this country at alt