Age of Cattle.

Feilding Star, Volume XXII, Issue 167, 17 January 1901, Page 2

Age of Cattle.

An inquiry was commenced at the Manawatu A. & P. Association office yesterday in connection with the disputed age of bullocks shown by Messrs McHardy Bros, at the late Manawatu show in classes 56 and 57, bullocks for shop purposes and freezing purposes respectively. Mr Stuckey was awarded first prize in each class r gainst those of Messrs McHardy Bros., the only other exhibitors. The enquiry was conducted by Messrs Ewen Campbell (chairman) on behalf of the Association and Messrs S. C. Bisbee and Nelson, on behalf of Messrs Stuckey and McHardy Bros. respectively. Messrs A. H. Eussell and D. Buchanan were also present. Several authorities were produced by the arbitrators together with plates showing representations of the teeth of bullocks at various ages, but the opinion was advanced that it was most difficult to definitely determine the age of an animal owing to the forced feeding show stock received inducing the early appearance of teeth that the exact age of the bullock did not justify.

Mr D. P. Buchanan gave evidence as to the number of teeth the bullocks in dispute had, and their condition. All the cattle with one exception had eight teeth up. Mr McHardy did not select his cattle for the Manawatu show, but deputed the duty to someone else. Mr R. Stevens said all the cattle looked three years old except one with a ring. He did not see any indication by the horn that they were more than three years old in other pens. Mr Stuckey produced correspondence from Mr D. Potts, manager of Mount Herbert estate, Canterbury College authorities, and the manager of the Te Ante herd, giving particulars of the teeth possessed by their threeyear old bullocks. From the returns to hand it was shown that out of twenty-two threeyear Shorthorn bullocks five of them had eight teeth up, but no instance was recorded of three-year old Hereford bullocks having eight teeth up, the inference being that Shorthorn bullocks obtained their teeth very much. earlier than Herefords. After hearing the evidence, the arbitrators decided that in Class 57 one t bullock appeared to be over age, and therefore the pen was disqualified. In the same class Mr McHardy's remaining cattle were not disqualified. In Class 56 the latter decision, was also arrived at. The arbitrators added a note that from the teeth of cattle submitted it appeared quite possible for a Shorthorn bullock to have eight teeth up at three years and three months old. — Times.