TALLEST BULLOCK

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 January 1928, Page 5

TALLEST BULLOCK

OVER SIX FEET HIGH. Birmingham Christmas Fat Stock Show, always a popular event, was more than usually spectacular on its opening day, says the London “Daily Mail.” . It had the heaviest entry in its 75 years’ history, and to do all the judging in Bingley Hall was impossible. To the unbounded joy of a host of small children, who jostled with the farmers, the cattle were brought into the street and lined up for inspection on a carpet of sawdust. Most of the best beef breeds were exhibited. In the main it was a, prime lot of cattle, with many excellent types of skilful feeding. But Bingley Hall sees one contest which is more an entertainment than education. It is for the heaviest beast. Four were shown exceeding a ton in weight, and one reached 27J cwt.

This was a huge blue and white crossbred Shorthorn belonging to Mill. 11. Wadland, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, by name Big Ben. He is the tallest bullock ever seen, standing nearly 62. feet at the shoulder. Much exhibition has caused him to lose weight, for he scaled originally a ton and a half. Ben is a. quiet-eyed giant of 7 years and a pet with everyone, especially the children at Banbury,- where he shares an orchard with a pigmy crossbred Dexter named Little Ben, who was brought with him to Bingley Hall “to make him feel more at home.” These “stable companions” were a source of great interest.