TO MEET WAR CALLS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 290, 27 August 1918, Page 8

TO MEET WAR CALLS

PEDIGREE STOCK BREEDING

DEVELOPMENT IN NEW

ZEALAND

In the course of :m article on the subject of the development of tho breeding of pedigree livo stock in Aew Zealand, Mr. J. L. Bruce, of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture, says:—

"Tho statement that greatly increased production will he essential to meet the country's war liabilities has \now become a commonplace, and the question resolves itself into the development of those lines of production most soundly based on our great national assets of climate and soil, as also geographical position. Among various sources of agricultural wealth awaiting further development perhaps nono is of morn importance and greater potentiality than the breeding of pedigree live stock. The economic incidence of pedigree stock breeding falls under two main headings—domestic and txport. The domestic side is nalurally the most important, concerning as it does mo enormous iiiiucriui bcneiit \n bo derived iju.ii ii yuicnii upmouig oi iiiq stanuiirj iinu \aili« Oi commercial animals iviiiiin tiic jjominion. Un die otner iianu, tne more Uenmto proposition of tne export trade is of great value, i.oo omy in connection wiih its casn returns but, owing to its stimulating lnnuenco on hign siiimiards of breed type, '.mat tiiere will lie a wurid-wido demand lor peUigreu stock almoac ■ liiiuivdiateJy j transport is available after liio war j ciiumii bin be recognised by those who Inivo given the matter any consideration. The, sooner, therefore, we tako action regarding prospective markets, ' and iiicrcii.se our ability to meet requirements, tho more fully will we participate in a profitable business. This business we are pre-eminently suited to meet, and the following grounds may ; be cited in support of the assertion: —

"(1) The geographical position of New Zealand and its comparative proximity to prospective purchasing countries—namely, Canada, the United Status of America, Soutli America, Use Commonwealth of Australia, South Africa, and the Paoilic Islands.

"(2) The variety of our climate, suited for raising all classes of stock— from i lie dainty Channel Island cattle to the hardy Aberdeen-Angus or the rugged Scottish Highland breeds; from the line-combing merino to the strong-woolled Linooln; and from tho thoroughbred to the Clydesdale.

"(3) The entire freedom from disease in New Zenland export pedigree stock, a clean bill of health accompanying every animal shipped from the Dominion by no means the least important factor.

I' "(4) The continuous importation, ever since the foundation of the country, of high-class pedigree stock from Britain by breeders here who thoroughly know their business and how to perpetuate the respective breeds. "If. the foregoing statement cf our position and claim to rank in the forefront as a pedigree stock raising country is not too optimistic we stand well to become the nursery and distributing centre for.pedigree stock in the Pacific, as Britain has been and still is for the world. Few have had a betW opportunity of knowing this.' country and its capabilities for stock-raising than the writer, and it, is his belief that any claims here set out , are well Supported by facts. Let the doubter attend, say, a dozen of our agricultural and pastoral shows in the several centres and watch particularly tho parades of prizetakers, when all sections are represented, and he can hardly fail to arrive at similar conclusions." . . . "It may not be out 6f place to here briolly examine our position as.prospeotlvo exporters of pedigree stock. Taking sheep first, the export of stud sheep to South America, the United Stale of America, Canada., and the Commonwealth of Australia has been going on for a good many years, and will no doubt increase rapidly immediately shipping epaco ia available. Preparedness to supply these- countries and South Africa, with exactly what they require in stud sheep, and in sufficient numbers to meet requirements, is a mutter which should be kept in sight, for the demand is fairly certain to increaso when shipping facilities are available.. In tho live stock world our strong feature is undoubtedly sheep.

"Aa regards cattle, it is true we have the right blood in most breeds, but if we are to become an exporting country we have a long way to go before we can attract outside, buyers, as we have done in sheep. Australia has imported from New Zealand considerable numbers of beef cattle and some dairy cattle, and would take more than wo are in a, position to supply at present. A glance at the official milk record's of our purebred dairy herds will show that we are offering well in this direction. With such records, coupled with and supported by long pedigrees, it would bo no siH'priso to hear in the near future of some of these pedigree dairy cattle selling up to four figures.

"Li horses, as with cattle, wo have the right blood, both in. heavy and thoroughbred horses, but in these the supply is so far too limited.to create a demand or to attract outside buyero to any extent.

"While in no "Vay underestimating Hie value of an export trade in pedigree stocky the way to increased production lies more in what is practically within tho reaoh of every stock-owner in the country—namely, to 'grade up' and 'feed up.' Every farmer cannot i>2 expected to bo a breeder of highr class pedigree rams, hulls, or stallions. This will always remain in tho hands of a comparatively few gifted inen. lint every farmer can by consistently using long or short pedigree sires so increase his income through the increased value and earlier maturity of his animals that ho will not feel too heavily his slwre in the increased indebtedness of the nation. Crossbreeding in some classes of sheop and certain breeds of beef cattle are no doubt profitable in the hands of men who know how to handle them, but, in the writer's opinion, for all-round purposes and for general benefit of the country, there is no sound reason why tho ordinary stockowner should not go right after tho purbrcd sinus in all classes of stock, and reverse tho present onlor by lonving crossbreeding to the specialist. It is much easier to maintain a purbiod herd or flock than ii crossbred.

"We may imagine New Zealand with practically nothing but piirbreil and liigli-grade cattle, sheep, and horses, together with the increased value and annual incomo from such stock to the credit of the country. A3 an instance the case may be cited of an owner of a herd of Herefords who sold his calves at ten months old last season for commercial purposes for £9 ss. per head. The value of those animals if well done by will probably be, at two and a half years old, at least £22, as against that of the ordinary 'scrub' calf at £3 10s. at the same age (possibly dear at that figure, to say nothing of deaths before winter is over), whose value at three years and a half

will be, at the outside, from £10 to £18. Apply this difference in value, in conjunction with earlier maturity (or even half that claimed), to, say, twothirds of tho beof ca-ttlo in tho Dominion; in the case of dairy cattlo an increase of somo 501b. of butter-fat on 760,000 dairy cows; and an extra pound of wool, earlier maturity, and a heavier carcass in the case of 25,000,000 sheep —when some idea as to the possibilities, on a money basis, of better bleeding, feeding, and management can be arrived at.

"This does not exhaust our resources; there are at least two other live stock industries—pigs and poultry—which might be greatly developed on right lines,-but space restrictions will hero only allow of attention being drawn to their magnitude in Canada and the United States of America."

.Developments in breeding pedigree livo stock such as outlined, in Mr. Brace's opinion, might best be entrustn<l to tho able direction of the capable breeders, s-ith which this country is fortunately so well provided, to be applied through tho various breed socioties and agricultural and pastoral associations.