OVER-FEEDING STOCK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 8902, 19 September 1889, Page 3

OVER-FEEDING STOCK.

{Marl: Lane Express.) It is highly probable that the great semi-centennial show will revive the vexed question of over-feeding in pure-bred stock—a question which may be said to have accompanied the rise and progress of every pedigree breed in the British Islands. Indeed, the matter has already been raised afresh by the announcement that the Earl of Ellesmere has decided to abandon showing, because the high condition necessary for the showyard is injurious to the breeding properties of his animals.

Such a resolve on the part of one of the leading shire-horse breeders in England is significant indeed. Does it not suggest that our agricultural shows are not answering precisely the designs with which they were originally organised ? Without the aid of these shows the British Islands would not have been in the enviable position as regards fine stock they are in to-day. Yet it would seem as if the exhibitions lent encouragement to a very serious evil, as well as to tho outward improvement of pure-bred stock. One would almost infer from quite 50 per cent of the principal prize stock shown in the course of a year that the main object with stock-breeders is to produce their show things as plump and fat as possible. What greater error could one imagine than this ? A smooth, well-ribbed-out carcase does not necessarily imply that the animal must be rolling in fat. In such a condition it is of little use for anything else but showing. There is no profit in such an animal, and the sooner our Agricultural Societies cease to recognise it as a fit subject for a prize the better. There is something wrong in breeders having to desert the showyard in order to avert over-feeding. Tho Agricultural S ocietiea cannot be doing their duty. They have all power within their own respective yards. Why not exercise that power ? They have lately taken a decisive stand against unsoundness in stock; it would be well for stock-breeders of the British Islands if they set themselves to battle over-feeding in the same way. For what is ovor-feeding in pedigree stock if it is not unsoundness of a certain type ? It has often been suggested that Agricultural Societies should eliminate classes for two and three-year-old fillies, in order to discourage over-feeding of the animals before they are of age tor breeding. That would not fully meet the exigencies of the case. There is over-feeding in males and females of all ages and all breeds, and that alone is working inestimable mischief in the herds, flocks, and studs of the United Kingdom. If it throws too great responsibility upon gentlemen who act as judges in the show-ring to disqualify or relegate over fat animals, on account of excessive fatness, why not appoint a Special Committee, consisting of skilled veterinary surgeons, to pass upon the stock in the same way as the inspectors for unsoundness go to work, just before the animal enters the yard ? Such an arrangement would doubtless raise a storm amongst stock-breeders, but it would bo to one and all of them a blessing in disguise. It would prove an effectual remedy for over-feeding, thus averting incalculable loss to the country and promoting the usefulness of our shows, which, as they are at present conducted, are really of very little value to farmers. That the disqualification of over-fed animals would stir up discontentment among breeders goes without saying. But does not any system of judging do so ? We question whether there would not be less grumbling by the adoption of this plan than one is accustomed to hear in any showyard under present circumstances. Anyhow the society officials and the society themselves would have the consolation in exchange for their thankless efforts, that they have given “ good for evil,” whereas the effect of the work of discrimination, as at present conducted, ia simply to help successful exhibitors to liquidate a part of the heavy bills incurred in producing the animal with illdeserved prize money. Over-feeding, if more objectionable in one breed than in another, it is in horses. We have seen at some recent shows glaring instances of excessive fatness iu prize winning animals. In not a few of these cases the animal, indeed, owed its position toils obesity, notwithstanding that its feet and legs suffered to some extent from too generous diet. It is impossible, to got an animal in show form without injuring it by over-feeding. Not only are its breeding properties injured, but its own legs and feet give way, wbicn is the greatest mishap that could befall a draught horse. What is the good of Ineir ponderous and finely-sleekcn bodies if they have not sound legs to stand upon. Now, however difficult it might be to determine the “ happy medium ” m cattle and sheep, ovor-feeding would be easily enough detected in horses end pigs. Indeed, overfeeding m horses, as we .have said before, is uothui'* more nor loss than nusouudness in aa incipient stage, for much of the unsoundness to which horseflesh is liable arises either from too liberal diet or carelessness ia feeding.