WITH JERSEY BREED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 March 1935, Page 10

WITH JERSEY BREED

DEMONSTRATION AT MATAPU ADDRESS BY MR G. H. BELL f FIELD DAY FOR FARMERS. -

The demonstration on Jersey cattle by Air. G H. Bell, the well-known breeder of Bell block, conducted uudei the auspices of the Hawera Jersey Cattle Club at the farm of Mr. F. Hoskin, Matapu, yesterday, was from evry standpoint a successful undertaking. The event was a field day for the farmers of the district, and included among those present were members of sister clubs. In the morning the visitors devoted their time to an, inspection of the herd, and roamed the farm at will. Air. Hoskin, and Air. Bell being at various points in turn to answer queries. Many farmers, visitors from other districts in particular, found much to interest them in the herd, which showed signs of having come through the dry season remarkably well. There was no dearth of grass, and, in addi-tion,-the pastur'd appeared to be of a nourishing nature with the ability to provide feed for many weeks to* come. Following the inspection, the visitors were given a picnic luncheon, and imniediately afteywai’ds Mr. Bell, commenced his demonstration. For this purpose, . five cows were brought from the herd and Air. Bell invited anyone present to judge the animals and place the five in order of Merit, following which he would do the same. The persons coming nearest to his awards would then be asked to state their reasons for their placings. There were three who placed the animals in the same order as the judge, there being Messrs C. W. Wood Kapuni, S. J. Holland, Rowan, and Miss A. Alorgan, Mangatoki. In his address. Air. Bell touched on many matters of interest to the Jersev breed, including affairs of the Dominion Council of the Association. Referring to the breed generally, Air. Bell, said that the type of animal being exhibited in the show ring to-day was definite proof that the breed were ! capable of production of a high standard. It would be noticed also that all high producing animals had a welldeveloped mommary system, and in tjlis connection Air Bell quoted AI. le Rrxxn, the eminent breeder and judge of Jersey Island, who stressed the importance of this portion of the animal. On the Island M. le Brun had stated that the breeders would forgive a little 'plainness in. other portions of the cow to have a well-attached vessel with the teats well placed. He had stated further that New Zealand was not breeding a stronger type of cattle than those on the island home of the breed. Enlarging on this theory, Mr. Bell said that he had seen some animals which were magnificent in all respects except the mammary vessels, and an animal of that type was not worthy of attention given to at. Air Bell referred at considerable length to the work of the classification committee of the New Zealand Association. Ho said it was pleasing to note that more breeders were taking advantage *o*f the scheme. He was of the opinion that the Y.H.C. standard was too high and the border line between that and the H.C. class too fine. He tjiought the standard of the higher class could he lowered a little to bring in some of the better rows in the H.O. class. After giving details of the typo of animal which was being sought by the classification committee, Mr. Bell said that it might happen that the pressure of work maj compel the .society to form one or possibly two more committees, and in that case great care would have to* be exercised in having a uniform method of classification between the commttees. In the past, only animals of four years and upwards had been classified, but the annual meeting will discuss the questions of taking three-year-olds into the scheme. Air. Bell referred to the Alanawatu Jersey Oaks, which is to be competed for shortly, the prize money to bo £SOO. The scheme originated in the Alanawatu Jersey Club, which had found £250 of the prize-money, the balance being found by the New Zealand Society, he said. There weie seven .prizes in the following order, £250, £IOO, £-50, £4O, £3O, £2O, £lO. He said tnafc there may he a possibility cf other clubs starting a similar scheme, and if so, the parent body may find it neeossnry to divide the Dominion up into groups. Should that eventuality happen, he advised the clubs to work together end to hold the competition in rotation. Aluch would depend on the success or otherwise of the 'first one in the Alanawatu, this one being a guide to “what serves.would follow successive competition, if any. . “It is a; big undertaking,” he concluded, “and it will need a. great many acceptances to make it.pay.” At the conclusion of his address, MiBell answered a number of questions relative to the working of the association, and the judging of Jerseys. In reply to one question he said that he - favoured the classification of bulls, but that it- would have to be done on results, and not on lines similar to tjmso adopted in the ease of cows.

Thanks on behalf of the club were extended by the President, Mr. C. H. Washer, to all who had assisted at the demonstration, making special reference to Mr. Bell, Mr. F. Iloskin, for the use of his farm and stock, and to tlm 3ndies for attending the eaterin pe -arrangements.