Friesians Hold Many Records

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 35 (Supplement)

Friesians Hold Many Records

High Production Breed Of Dairy Cattie

FRIESIANS are the dominant breed in Holland, their native land. In Germany 70 per cent, of the dairy cattle are Friesians. In Canada, America and South Africa they are preeminent. Throughout European countries they torm a very considerable part of the dairy herds. New Zealand-bred Friesians have upheld the reputation of the breed. Eight of them hold nine records of over 10001 b. butterfat production, the highest being 11451 b. That New Zealand Friesians are not only high producers, but that they definitely transmit their high-producing qualities, is shown by the tact that New Zealand Friesians for many years held the world’s production record of seven direct female generations, with an average of 766.891 b. fat. Proof of the productive quality of the breed is provided in the official testing returns issued by the Department of Agriculture for 1937. which shows an average of 559.461 b. butterfat per cow for Friesians under test. The average production for ah first-class briesiaii certificates of record (yearly test) since the mtroduction of this test in 1912 to the end of 1937 is now 14,105.011 b. milk and 500.371 b. fat, a striking testimony to the high productive ability of Friesians. tor the year 1937 Friesians on the Government official herd test had also the highest average production of butterfat per cow for the Dominion.

The manner in which the producing qualities of the dams are transferred to their daughters in New Zealand Friesians is illustrated by the following family record: Totara C.R. Buttercup (six certificates of record totalling 5636.211 b. fat) was New Zealand’s greatest lifetime producer. Her daughters’ records are: Totara Netherland Buttercup, 764.091 b. tat; 1.0tara K.P. Buttercup, 8071 b. fat; Totara V.S. Buttercup, 754.281 b. fat (senior three-year).

The intensive in-breeding to which Friesians can be subjected without loss of constitution is demonstrated by the "Longbeach” Friesian herd in Canterbury. This herd, which last season averaged 430.781 b. fat under Government official herd test, with twice-a-dav milking and ordinary herd conditions, has been bred for over 50 years, solely on the blood lines of the original importation (a bull and six cows) from Holland. with the exception that for a season two bulls of American blood were used. Longbeach Everlasting 2nd (C.O.R. 75811). fat), a member of the present herd, is a striking example of the intensive in-breeding carried out at Longbeach. She traces back no fewer than 43 times to the imported bull, Taureau, and 25 times to Netherland Queen (imported), 12 times to Buttercup (imported), and six times to Spot (imported). Friesians in the south and central parts of the North Island have more than maintained the high-producing ability of the breed. Under Government official herd test, Friesians had the highest average production of butterfat for all breeds for 1937. During the 1936-37 season a Wairarapa herd averaged 3971 b. I at. Another Wairarapa herd averaged 3891 b. fat, a Rangitikei herd 3691 b. ft, and a Hunterville herd. 3791 b. fat. Several Royal show championships have been won.

by Friesian breeders in the Wairarapa and M.anawatu districts, while at the Wairarapa Show, October, 1938, Friesians won four of the six all-breed dairy championships. For lifetime production of butterfat Friesians lead all breeds. Totara C.R. Buttercup ( 5636.211 b. fat), Rosevale Burkeyje Sylvia (5120.78 lb. fat), Burkeyje Sylvia Posch (5085.50 lb. fat, with four others over 40001 b. fat, stand out prominently when it is recalled that only one cow of any other breed in the Dominion has an official lifetime production exceeding 40001 b. fat.