The ideal bull

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 17

The ideal bull

H a r 1 a u Desmond (above), owned by Mr P. Mowat, of Ludley Farm, Kaikoura, is a true representative of the South Devon breed, which is known for the richness of its cream and which produced some of the largest cattle reared in England. Six years ago, Mr Mowat, who had been rearing Hereford cattle, began to look for another breed better suited to his property. He was impressed by the size and reputed docility of the South Devon breed and bought a herd of short horn cows in calf

to Mr R. H. Kerr’s prize winning Edmeston Cracker jack bull. Since these initial purchases, Mr Mowat has bought more bulls and believes that he is developing at little cost a herd ideally suited to the conditions of his property. After the breeding of many animals, including the half-breed stage, Mr Mowat believes his cattle are showing a commercial advantage over the historical breeds. He is also impressed with the breed’s mothering traits and that carcases grade well without any tendency to over fatness.