SHORTHORN COWS AT LINCOLN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28793, 14 January 1959, Page 4

SHORTHORN COWS AT LINCOLN

Breeders Allege Disparagement

“They are a little upset because of some statements which got out from the college, presumably from the staff,” the chairman (Mr W. H. Gillespie, M.P.) said when the sale of the Shorthorn herd of Canterbury Agricultural College by auction was suggested by the Canterbury branch of the N.Z. Milking Shorthorn Association to yesterday’s meeting of the board of governors. The statement that “We are getting rid of Shorthorns —they are not good enough” was being put about to the detriment of the breed, said the association’s letter. The policy decided by the board has been to replace the Shorthorn cows with Friesians for town milk supply. Possibly the association had some reason for complaint, said Mr Gillespie. The board should make a decision as to how the Shorthorns were to be disposed of. He had been told that the college was sending Shorthorns to the works and his reply was that no policy had been reached. Producing Beasts Dr. M. M. Burns (Director) said he would be very surprised if any beast which was a good producer would be sent to the works. No Shorthorn worth retention was being sent to the works. “On a previous occasion when we had a similar letter from the Shorthorn Breeders’ Association there were no takers by breeders at prices in any way commensurate with prices for pedigree animals,” said Dr. Burns. “We do not sell producing animals. We are short of dairy producers.” The Shorthorn cows were, being crossed with Friesians, said Dr. Burns. The board decided to ask the dairy farm manager to make proposals for the disposal of the herd and that the Director should ascertain from the association whether its members would buy the cows.