Tour Of Angus Studs

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32038, 12 July 1969, Page 8

Tour Of Angus Studs

ABERDEEN ANGUS stud cattle breeders went on tour last week, visiting studs in Mid and South Canterbury. Ten studs and one commercial herd were inspected during the two-day tour, which covered more than 350 miles. Organised by the Canter-bury-Westland branch of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Breeders’ Association, the tour attracted more than 100 persons, including several from the West Coast. Leaving Ashburton, the party, travelling by cars, visited McDowell Brothers, at Wakanui, followed by a visit to the Curraghaloo herd of Messrs G. A. and G. D. Rountree, at Alford Forest. Situated at 1200 ft above sea level, Mr Rountree, sen., described the district as “pretty rugged in most years.” Pointing to well-grown stands of pinus, he said shelter was an important factor in that district. The visitors inspected the property’s sale bulls, the breeding cows, and 30 rising yearling bulls. Discussing breeding for weight gains, Mr Rountree said it had had its problems. He had found quite a variation, and it was hard to make selections taking all factors into account. The next stud on the tour was that of Mr C. Gallagher, at Mayfield. Snow was lying on the ground as the visitors inspected his small stud. Mr

Gallagher said he had had his share of difficulties getting established.

Mr Gallagher also had available for inspection his breeding herd numbering the best part of 100 head. Visitors commented on the excellent condition carried by the cattle.

Mount Peel Station was the only commercial proposition on the tour, and the visit to this property proved to be one of the highlights. Visits to the studs of Messrs G. C. Hill and K. H. Hargreaves and Son, of Geraldine, completed the first day. Mr Hargreaves, sen., said he was breeding with the biggest bulls possible, and it was working out well. He ex--1 ressed some reservations about the emphasis on weight gains. This had to be assessed along with other factors. “It is no good having a high weight-gain bull with a jaw you can’t see,” he said.

Discussing supplementary feeding, Mr Hargreaves said: “You have got to bring the young bulls up to make them sell. High country men say they want bulls with not too much condition, but I notice they buy the bulls that have been well done.” The second day of the tour began with a call on the stud of Mr A. J. Darling, at Cave. Mr Darling, who has 22 stud cows to calve, said he had kept weight-gain records for two

seasons, but had discontinued the practice. Buyers, he said, had never asked for weight-gain figures, and he knew which cows produced the most forward calves. To a question, Mr Darling said he did not discount the value of weight-gain recording. It would be useful for an owner wanting to get an idea of the performance of his herd.

Mr J. R. Fraser, jun., of Pleasant Point, had a sizeable selection of cattle for inspection. They included three herd sires, 16 sale bulls, 40 bull calves, and a similar number of heifer calves.

The Waimate district was the venue of visits at the conclusion of the tour. Visitors to the stud of Messrs E. M. and E. L. Squires saw a demonstration of treating calves for parasites by injection instead of drenching.

A Waimate veterinarian (Mr A. Hunter) treated some calves at the rate of 4 c.c. per 1001 b live-weight. He said a suitable place for the injection was on the side of the neck, or if the calf was proving difficult through movement, on the top of the shoulder.

Breeding cows in the process of calving, and sale bulls were inspected on the property of Mr A. Grant, and the tour ended with the inspection of autumn-born calves on the property of Mr E. R. McConnell, at Bluecliffs.