N.Z. BEEF BREEDING

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30712, 30 March 1965, Page 14

N.Z. BEEF BREEDING

‘Dairy Strains Unsuitable’ Farmers should be progressive, but should not be ’’stampeded” into sudden changes of breeding policy by “the very vociferous self-styled beef experts” in New Zealand —some with no practical breeding experience or academic degrees—who “loudly” condemned New Zealand’s stud breeders, the deputy chairman of the Meat Board (Mr L. A. P. Sherriff) said yesterday. Speaking at the Canterbury chiller type beef competition, Mr Sherriff said these experts claimed that New Zealand stud breeders were importing the wrong cattle and were not proceeding on correct lines.

There was a demand today for beef without excess fat, Mr Sherriff said, and the Jugoslavian beef was quoted. “However, it is also quoted by the United Kingdom meat traders as colourless, wasteless and tasteless,” he said. “As you are aware, the Meat Board has set up an independent committee to report on all aspects of meat grading for export. Within the committee’s order of reference is this phrase; * — their suitability to production under New Zealand pastoral conditions’.”

Mr Sherriff considered this phrase of vital importance. “Although there is undoubtedly an expanding place for beef produced from dairy strains, their suitability under New Zealand hill and station pastoral conditions would be nil.

• “Our main beef grading country must continue to be stocked with the recognised beef breeds, which, I am certain, can fulfil today’s market demands, provided the farmer does not market his cattle in over-prime condition,” he said.