IMPROVING OUR STOCK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 236, 18 September 1934, Page 3

IMPROVING OUR STOCK

Support for Scheme Urged PROF. ALEXANDER’S VIEWS The opinion that the Live Stock Improvement Scheme which seeks to set up an organisation to Devise and carry out plans for raising the standard of live stock in New Zealand is a scheme that must commend itself to all stock-owners is expressed by Professor R. E. Alexander, C.M.G., -in an article contributed by him to the year book of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union. Hu adds that it is undeniable that ordinary farm stock can and should be improved. Concerning the suggested methods of securing this improvement, however, there are some unfortunate differences of opinion, unfortunate because they are founded on misconceptions which need not exist, and because united action by the farming community is most desirable. The practical experience of centuries of animal breeding makes it quite clear that in the first stages of improvement the quickest and most effective method is to eliminate those sires producing the poorest stock, says Professor Alexander. The plans of the proposed committees will, therefore, be centred round' lhe setting of standards to which sires must conform. The worst sires will then bo prevented from having progeny, and a higher general level of stock must follow. The numerous difficulties which are thought by some to beset the fixing of standards are more apparent than real, as brief reference to a few of them may help to stow. REMOVAL OF “SCRUBS.” It is common knowledge that produc tion, whether it be ot meat, milk, or wool, depends on two main factors — first, the physical condition of the animal, and second, the inherited ability to convert food into the products that are wanted. Physical condition does not mean fatness or leanness, but a healthy, well-formed body which can ileal efficiently with food, resist disease, and adjust itself to the changes of weather. Animals which do not possess this fitness are likely to have a poor typo of offspring which no one would want. With exception of milk production and fertility, the appeartmee of an animal gives a fair indication of its inheritance and its worth lor bleeding. Among equally well-grown and healthy animals there are some which have good conformation and others which are defective in conformation. In horses, pigs, sheep und beef cattle conformation is very important and cun be seen at a glance, so that the principle of inspection for these types is quite sound. It would not be sound to judge good stock only on appearance, but it is not intended to do this. Good stock differ m production fertility and conformation and' breeding worth, but uo one would try to estimate their breeding worth from appearances. The inspectors under this scheme will merely eliminate those sires which are obviously unfit for breeding purposes—in other words, the scrub sire. The promoters do not propose to set breed standards, nor will inspectors interfere with the activities of breed societies. If the experience of other countries is any guide, it cun be anticipated with confidence that breeders in a very short time will ask for regulations to be tightened up and the minimum standard for registration raised.

In regard to breeds such as dairy cattle that have a record of production, the procedure would be as in other countries. The Provincial Committee in consultation with breed' societies fixes the qualification of a bull. If the qualification required of a dairy bull was a production by its dam of 2501 b of butter-lat, then every bull whoso dam produced less than this quantity would be disqualified without inspection. Those bulls passing this tost would then be inspected for physical type. A scrub bull, no matter whatIlls inheritance, cannot sire good' cows.

It should be apparent that the success of the proposed scheme lies in the hands of stock-owners. The Act of Parliament giving the scheme official sanction does not secure its fruitful operation. The power to set up an organisation which cun administer approved plans is all that is granted. Whether the most will be made of the opportunities offered depends mainly on the four members elected by stockowners to the Central Committee. These members can make the measures harsh and unpopular or weak and useless, but as representatives of a farming community which desires progress it is to be expected that they will do neither of these things. The provision that the Central Committee should be dominated by those most interested—that is, the stock-owners—-should inspire complete confidence in the Act. NO HARDSHIPS. It is unnecessary to point out that the scheme is not desired to impose hardships on anyone. The local committee is the best safeguard of that, and it can and will hear all applications for relaxation. It is not the intention to dictate breeding methods, but supporters of the scheme cannot admit that every individual has the right to breed what he likes and place it on the market as New Zealand products. Our prestige on the world market is gauged by the quality of our product. That quality is judged by the worst, sample, not the best, so that the breeder of inferior stock is a menace to our meat and wool industry, and must be induced to breed better stock. That the passing of the Live Stock Improvement Act. would benefit onlystud breeders and would create hardships on small farmers and buyers 's another fallacy which should be exposed. Certified stock would bo so much better buying that they would be worth more. But will they cost more? One of the worst features of stock-farming at present is the wastage of sires as a result of bad feeding and

lack of care. If this scheme were put into force sires would be more prized and consequently better looked after, They would last longer and therefore fewer would be required each year, so that no increase in price would be experienced. The cost of the scheme is another supposed objection. It is only necessary to point out here that 'the scheme should be self-supporting. Those gaining the benefit, namely, stock breeders and stock buyers, would pay for it in the fees collected for inspection and certification. Finally, an army of inspectors will not be necessary. Not only can inspection be spread over the year, but one or two men can cover a very large area and deal with large numbers of sires. Since it is proposed to run this scheme by local elected committees, it cannot be regarded as an attempt to establish another Government department.