Show Broadcast

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29984, 20 November 1962, Page 3

Show Broadcast

Sir. —It was disappointing to hear Mr M. G. Bollard’s radio cornmerAary on Friday’s parade at the Centennial Show. His love of Friesian.s and Jerseys carried him away so much that he did not mention the Milking Shorthorns (numbering 74 animals). This is not the only occasion on which Mr Hoilard has overlooked mentioning this breed in the show commentary. It is indeed regrettable that he could not mention a breed which was the only breed of cow used by the pioneers more than 100 years ago, right through to the present day.—Yours, etc., SHORTHORN. November 12. 1962.

(Mr M. G. Bollard replies: “K the Milking Shorthorn breed of cattle was not mentioned in the commentary on the show parade, it is to be regretted, as there were some fine examples of the breed on show. This has no doubt been the case at all Christchurch shows since the breed established its own herd book 47 years ago. The Shorthorns before that time are described in Volume I of the New Zealand Milking Association herd book as ‘being ideal beef animals as well as being suited to dairy.’ As I am deeply interested in all breeds of cattle, I endeavour to maintain an impartial attitude whenever discussing their respective characteristics and their popularity among farmers. It is true that in earlier years Milking Shorthorns were relatively popular. However, since group herd testing commenced, there has been a spectacular swing from Shorthorns to Jerseys on farms supplying dairy factories, and, more recently, to Friesians on farms supplying town milk. In 1960-61. pedigree Jerseys produced 14 per cent, more butterfat a cow than pedigree Milking Shorthorns, and pedigree Friesians 34 per cent, more milk a cow than pedigree Milking Shorthorns. Facts of this kind are probably not unrelated to any unconscious bias revealed during the commentary.”]