Shorthorns hold own

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33874, 20 June 1975, Page 18

Shorthorns hold own

The Milking Shorthorn has for many years been one of NewZealand's minor dairy breeds, but Mr J. K. Worthington, of Whangarei. believes it is at least holding its ow n. and may he slowly

making a comeback

It was once regarded as the ideal dual-purpose beast, but the aim of breeders today is toward a higher producing dairy animal. with less emphasis on the beef characteristic.

Mr Worthington, who was last week re-elected president of the Milking Shorthorn Association at its annual conference in Christchurch, has one of the country's largest Milking Shorthorn herds. In spite of the strong place held by the Jersey and the Friesian, Mr Worthington, as a hardcore breeder, likes the Shorthorn for its nature, its longevity as a producer, along with its dual-purpose qualities.

During the last 30 years, the Australian Illawara Shorthorn — developed in Queensland — has had a big influence on the Shorthorn in this country, particularly in North ’ Island herds.

Generally, the Illawara has had a' good influence on the breed here, according to Mr Worthington, although he noted that South Island breeders had been more inclined toward the English dairy Shorthorn.

With the aim of breeding a higher producing cow, imported semen is being used extensively, but it is subject to a standard set by the association. Both the dam and grand dam of bulls being used must have produced 10,0001 b of milk

with a 4.0 test, or 12,0001 b of milk, with a 3.8 test, in one lactation as a mature cow.

However, in spite of the use of overseas sires, the top bull is Sonny Grove Superior, bred at Nelson by the Williams Brothers.

Some notable individual cows have come from the Shorthorn breed One of them was Timati Dorina bred at Canvastown, near Blenheim. With a life-time

output of 71571 b of butterfat she held the world record for a Milking Shorthorn.

However, she was overtaken by Summerset Judy, with a life-time figure of 76001 b.

At present, according to Mr Worthington, the world Shorthorn record is held by an Australian cow, Sunnyview Little Princess 30th, with more than 11,0001 b of butterfat. She was Shorthorn cow of the year in Australia on seven occasions. More than one of her sons has been used in New Zealand herds.

Speaking of the future of the Milking Shorthorn, Mr Worthington said there were some very keen breeders. A lot of interest was being shown in classification, and better methods of classification. In order to bring the cattle before the public, there had been a resurgence in showing.

Waikato is the main area for the Milking Shorthorn in the North Island, while herds in the South are centred mainly at Nelson, Christchurch and in Southland.

More than 90 herds are on the pedigree register, and last year registrations comprised 1139 heifers, 167 bulls and 211 appendix cattle — the latter being cattle being bred up from grade to pedigree standard. Mr Worthington has a herd of 166 milkers, mainly of Illawara Shorthorn breeding. They have averaged up to 4261 b of butterfat in a season.