First flight of cattle

Press, 8 December 1976, Page 3

First flight of cattle

NZPA London Ninety-three cattle, worth a total of £250,000 (about 5NZ457,500) will arrive in New Zealand, this week — by air. When they are .landed in New Zealand the cattle will be worth about $7OOO or .88000 each. i The 43-tonne cargo will be aboard a chartered DC 10 aircraft. It is believed to be the first major consignment of cattle flown to New Zealand from Britain, and the most ; valuable consignment of livestock to leave a British airport. The animals, which left Prestwick Airport in Scotland yesterday are all destined for New Zealand breeders. Thev include prime specimens iof British breeds, such as

m Angus and Hereford, and also Italian Chianinas and Marchii gianas, Swiss Simmentals, t and French Limousins bred 1 in Britain. / Thirty-seven of the animals i will go to the Kaiapoi 1 breeder, Mr R. G. Macdonald, r and 11 have been bought by the Holt and Williams Come pany, of Christchurch. Ten - of the animals have been e bought by Australian interf ests. Mr Macdonald’s cattle 1 include Simmentals. Romagt nolas, and Charolais. f The sale of the cattle, and i their shipment, has been arranged by the London livet [ stock offices of Wrightson I (NMA, Ltd, and Dalgety, Ltd. 1 [ A spokesman for Wright- , ison NMA said: “We have si plans for three flights a year 5! in future, if this one is suc-

cessful. We have used shins previously, but with the switch to containerisation this is no longer economical.” The DCIO has been specially adapted for the flight. The internal ventilation system will pour a continuous stream of cold, fresh air into the cabin, which has been fitted with special travelling pens. Reinforced rubber netting will restrict the movement of the animals, but they will not be strapped down, and will be able to stand or lie down throughout the flight. Mr Macdonald said vesterdav that he expected the’ flight to arrive at Ohakea at 6 a.m. on Thursday. After their arrival, the cattle will go into quarantine for 30 days.