HIGHLAND CATTLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16479, 19 February 1914, Page 10

HIGHLAND CATTLE.

A PICTURESQUE AND USEFUL

BREED

The prominence' given to .the question of deer forests in Great Britain has (says the " Field "), raised . interest in. the breed of cattle that share with sheep and deer the freedom and hardships of tho Scottish Highlands. The native cattle of the West Highlands are not only the most picturesque of our many breeds of Dovine stock, but they possess utility qualities that are not to be despised. In the nature of things they are slow in growth and maturity, and on richer diet than is provided in, their native haunts they: are seen ,at'a disadvant-i age .in comparison with the. breeds that have been made more responsive to generous treatment. The fact that the Highland variety can live and lb live where others would starve is a point of importance, and will always, it is hoped, "secure for tho fascinating Highlander a place among the popular breeds of these islands., It has to be ackno\yledged,' however, that the mountain'breed lias not been quite holding its own in'recent years. The craze for early maturity on the one side and the development of sport on the. other have encroached upon the territory of the breed. The folds or herds are still numerous and pro- . lific enough to make useful contribution to the supplies, of grazing animals, of which there is convincing proof in .the herds that ■ occupy,; winter, and summer, so many,,home parks or demesnes in England and the lowlands of Scotland. But there has been, a tendency towards a diminution of enthusiasm at shows and sales of pedigree stock, and although it would be easy to exaggerate the significance of this, it would be a mistake to regard it as of no consequence. The position of ■•'.'tho Highland breed is not all that its supporters'could wish,; and ' any movement would be welcomed 'that would restore the activity and confidence that formerly characterised the proceedings at show and sale. The position and prospects of tho breed are discussed in an article in the "Scottish Farmer" of November 22. The writer is evidently familiar with the conditions in the' Highlands, and his survey of the situation is instructive on points of -vital importance. He is hopeful that good results will accrue from the scheme for placing at the service of crofters or small holders bulls of improved breeding and quality. Hitherto the small man in the Highlands, as well as - in the Lowlands, has been satisfied with stock of an inferior'type, but he will now have an opportunity for rising, above tho disadvantages of his, limited.facilities, and "be in a position to show as good Highland catt\e as anyone." This prediction, can apply only where the local breed will prove superior to any of its'rivals. The intervention of the Scottish Board -of Agriculture may mean the intrusion of other varieties, because sentiment must make way for utility where the expenditure of _ State money is • concerned. Possibly, however, the hardy Highlander will withstand the threatened invasion, and may even recover ground that- has been lost. The writer referred to lays stress upon tho importance of developing an export trade as a stimulus to home en--1 terprise. He argues that an export I trade would bo as useful to breeders of Highland cattle as to those of other i types, and is confident, that'if its merits I for crossing purposes were .known the prophecy would speedily be realised. On this aspect of the question he writes as follows:—" It is unfortunate for the welfare of the breed that we are without an exportation trade for them. Could we but command this what a vast difference it would make. But we j I seem to bo* as far from it as ever.'; Ij don't know that any .■ energetic effort [ has ever been made to acquire for them j a footing out of their own Homeland, i One or two animals have been sent out j of the country and that has been about the extent cf it all. Whether the ani-I mals sent out. were treated as mere ; curiosities or what befel' them I. can't i say; we now hear nothing about them, \ and it is more than probable that they got mixed up with the native cattle and disappeared. I am much afraid that the importation of one or two animals in a country teeming with cattle will have very little effect in furthering the matter. * The Highlanders are in the broad sense of the word,a small, or, 11 should say, limited, breed. I mean as ' regards numbers and the area they cover,, and they are practically ...unknown- out of this country, except per--haps as the native breed of the north of Scotland. What, breed of cattle are more suited for use in a .land having nard winter. to contend with, such as Canada, for instance? If they got a fair trial they should: prove their merits. At home they have- .proved , their incontestable right to be con- , sidercd the.breed above all others fitted to contend, with hard conditions. : , -. <

At the'same time I hardly think that it is as a pure breed that they v.ould prove .of greatest value, but us ideal •lams for crossing with Shorthorn bulls.

As dams they are admirably adapted to contend with all the hard winter conditions, and their cross progeny would be difficult to beat for hardness and flesh qualities. But the difficulty is to get them the : fair trial, and,, if anything is ever to be. done successfully in this.directum, it must be, started, and that on' a fairly large scale,, by those interested itf the'bree'd r at home. ' We can hardly look for the initiative to come from abroad. If a company or syndicate were formed amongst interested breeders in this country to acquire a suitable ranch in Canada to be devoted to the interests of the breed and run on business.lines, it would, I think, be the surest way of geting the introduction abroad. At the same time the venture might'quite well also a .financial.. success.: to "the shareholders; If; a company were formed and the business started, it: might in the first case be-desirable to have a portion of the females served by ■ Shorthorn bulls, special efforts being made to have cows with their cross calves exhibited at shows or wherever, they could come beforetlie - public, and if it were found that they were;going to take on, the pure: breed fold could;;be extended 'to supply the crossing requirements of the company, and also for selling to others for the same purpose. This idea may seem altogether too far fetched, and T merely suggest it; but I can hardly think that it would prove a failure if properly gone about. Certainly in no other way is it .possible to get the 'much-wanted introduction. The. exr .portation of an "odd..animal now- and again will .never bring :it about; and' is just tinkering, at the work without a 'prospect of success. Canada and the investment of money there is, now very prominently before," the public, and I have no : doubt but that very much, money is invested there in much more risky ventures, and'without the same interests-at stake. It .might be worth a trial, and it., would, be from the ,beginning of advantage to the breed. Let our home trade be however promising, j we could do well with ail outside opening for: the Highland breed."