DARK OR LIGHT

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4461, 24 October 1933, Page 2

DARK OR LIGHT

FASHIONS IN HEREFORDS. ENGLISH COMMENT. Herefordai are a popular fat stock breed in parts of New Zealand, and make a fine showing each year in the fat stock pens. The following comment, in the English Live Stock Journal, by Mr Charles H. Tinsley, of the famous Twyford herd in Herefordshire, now dispersed, and owner of the famous cow Wisemoney, should be of interest to local breeders: —■ " As an ex-breeder of Hereford cattle, renowned for their beef yielding qualities, mjy remarks are chiefly concerned with their merit in the ring. The main points are applicable to both sexes. "Character in each is essential, and no part of the animal portrays tjhis more than the head, which should be broad, not too long, with a clear, prominent eye, wide at the nose, with a white skin and well set, in the case of the male, on a neck with a good crest. The root of the tail must be level, with a( straight, well-covered spine, quarters wide and deep to the hock, which should be more or less straight, not sickle-shaped, which in the male especially denotes weakness where strength is required. The flank should be deep and well filled, pinbones, invisible ( and the length from these to the tail should equal that to behind the shoulder, which should be fine and well covered, and the legs short and not too close together, hide and hair mellow to the touch. When viewing the animal from the side, the top and underline should be as nearly parallel as possible. A judge, as well as the public, likes to see an animal parade well, and this is a point which some exhibitors are apt to neglect. When meeting or leaving you the legs should be in line. If the hind legs are inside the fore, it usually denotes bad shoulders. THE IDEAL BEAST. " If the judge has an exhibit in the ring to conform to the above he is a happy man, as he has no difficulty in getting his ' top,' and can build up to it, whereas in the case of a moderate lot, his task is very different, and gives him little satisfaction when completed. Of late years the requirements of the consumer have changed. Whereas* prior to the war, 12 to 15 cwt live weight were readily saleable, to-day the demand is for 8 to 10 cwt, and small joints with as little waste as possible. breeders must adapt their brains to the altered

conditions, and a judge must have this fact in mind when adjudicating. " One is sometimes asked the question: 'Do you believe in fancy points apart from real utility in stock ? ' Mjyi answer is: 'lf the former interferes with the latter, certainly not.' Most breeds have their characteristic markings, and these rarely conflict with the utility of the animal, in which case by all means retain them, otherwise we could not be sure of maintaining the purity of the beast. Fashion undoubtedly has to be considered if a breeder wishes to sell to the best advantage. As an instance, the popular colour of a Hereford is dark claret. Any tendency to black in hair, horn, or nose is condemned. Light brown is unpopular, though some of the best fleshed beasts are light in colour. Undoubtedly a dark coat with white markings is more attractive, but the main reason why breeders in Hereford cultivate the dark hair is to meet the demand from abroad where the hot sun fades the colour and the lighter becomes very pale. "Again, rings of brown round the eyes are disliked by some. These are fancy points which, if you are to sell to breedeis here and abroad, you cannot ignore, though no detriment whatever to the slaughter value. I should, however, say that the question of black in hair or horns must be classed as a fancy point. The reason for the objection is the fear that at some stage in the pedigree there may have been a cross with another breed."