Valuable heifers coming to S.I.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33883, 1 July 1975, Page 31

Valuable heifers coming to S.I.

(From

CHARLES COOPER.

London correspondent of

"The Press.")

LONDON, June 29

Exotic cattle imports into New Zealand, a booming vogue over the last few years, hardly raise an agricultural eyebrow these days. But two calves, now grazing in the South of England while awaiting shipment, will, according to a London farming expert, cause a considerable stir when they arrive in New Zealand.

Not only will they be the first pure-bred Chianinas in the country, but their price moves them towards being almost worth their weight in gold.

Some reticense in Britain surrounds the price that a South Island breeder paid for the heifers but one reliable source put it in excess of $lB,OOO for each calf — and that possibly this is a record for breeding heifers. Chianinas (pronounced as though with an initial ■K) come from Florence, Italy, are pure white, and sometimes are more than seven feet tall when fully grown. They were introduced to Britain about 18 months ago, and the two calves for New Zealand are Progeny of the original imports. They will reach New Zealand as heifers and will be inseminated with pure-bred Chianina semen to produce offspring for the lucrative Australian exotic beef-cattle market.

Although born in Britain and therefore considered virtually disease-free, the calves must still pass stringent tests demanded by New Zealand authorities before being given a clearance for shipment. The veterinary examination to protect New Zealand from imported diseases is so severe that less than 50 per cent of the breeding cattie presented for tests before shipmesnt make the grade first time. If the Chianinas are given a clean bill during their twoweek pre-sailing quarantine they are expected to be shipped late in October.