Beef Cattle Class

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31321, 17 March 1967, Page 14

Beef Cattle Class

In a district given over mainly to fine-wool production, the introduction of beef cattle classes at the Hawarden show should prove well worthwhile.

The introduction of these classes, probably reflects a trend in modern pastoral farming of more cattle in the hill country. It is perhaps an ironical fact that one or two beef cattle studs in the district are better known at national shows and sales than at provincial shows. In a district known for its good studmasters, the beef cattle classes are perhaps well overdue, but they could become a well worth while feature, for the demand by commercial cattlemen for breeding stock from stud herds is bound to increase. Three breeds of beef cattle have been entered for this year’s show, although only two breeds are expected to be paraded. Mrs N. Collis, who has been most successful at the national Aberdeen Angus show and sale at Dannevirke, will probably be the principal exhibitor in this section at Hawarden. Several breeders have en-

tered Herefords, and they include Heathstock Downs, Ltd., and Mrs C. Burrows, of Beechwood, Culverden. Earlier this year, Mrs Burrows topped the South Island Hereford Breeders’ sale at Temuka with a single entry at 400gns. Mr L. C. Fincham, of Hawarden, is the only exhibitor listed in the Beef Shorthorn classes, but because of an accident involving a member of his family, he is not expected to bring the cattle forward Record Entries Excluding two sections of the show, for which exhibits are shown by post entry, entries already stand at a record 2146, compared with 2043 last year. One of the main increases has been shown in the sheep classes, which have drawn 62 more entries.

As a sheep exhibition, the show is of metropolitan class, for its draws many exhibitors who show at Christchurch, and the association now appoints four judges in the Corriedale class, which attracts the largest entries. Entries for the various sections, with those for last year in parentheses, are:— Horses 171 (171), sheep 611 (549), wool 77 (44), cattle 19 (nil), dogs 37 (35). Grain and seeds 39 (61), house and dairy 158 (119), junior cooking 28 (23), fancy work 80 (81), schoolwork 650 (437). Flowers, post entry (274), fruit and vegetable 66 (68), photography 161 (171), art 49 (10).