FRIESIAN BREEDERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 491, 1 September 1922, Page 5

FRIESIAN BREEDERS.

CONFER AT PALMERSTON NORTH. PROVINCIAL BRANCH FORMED. A well-attended meeting of breeders of Friesian cattle in the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay provinces was held in Palmerston North yesterday, when it was decided to establish a branch of tho association to cover the two provinces named, with headquarters at Palmerston North. Mr G. E. Robertson, who was voted to tho chair, read reports relerring to the activities of other branches throughout the Dominion, and on the motion of Messrs N. P. Neilsen (Tiakitahuna) , and John Donald (Wanganui) it was decided to form a branch to cover tho territory in tho Wellington and Hawke’s Buy provinces, but which in the meantime would be known as the Wellington provincial branch. The following office-bearers were appointed President, Air C. E. Robertson (Ashhnrst); vice-presidents, Sir A. JJ. Russell (Hastings), Dr. R. A. Cameron (Wellington), Mrs A. M. Budd (Carterton), Messrs G. A. Troup (Upper Unit), M. R. Murphy (Paten), W. D. Hunt (Wellington), If, Best (To Horo), D. Dickie (Wellington), Win. Barton (Featherston), J. Liggins, oenr. (Tokomaru) and W. Bevan (Munakau); executive committee, Messrs 11. R. Green (Palmerston North), John Donald (Wanganui), A. Burgess (Rongotea), H. Voss (Tiiikiiahmin), W. I. Lovelock (Palmerston North), B. Brocket! (Pohangina), N, P. Neilsen (Tiakitahuna), W. E. A. Gill (Wellington), R. Melvin (Mastorton), W. J. McCullough (Woraroa State Farm), Major R. A. Wilson (Bulls), A. O. Morion (Silverhope); secretary and treasurer, Mr M. J. Thomson. IMPROVING THE BREED. Various methods of improving the breed were discussed and as a first stop it was decided to offer special prizes for competition at spring shows within the province. At tho local spring show it was decided to ask the Manawatu. A. and P. Association to replace the yearling heifer class with a special class for yearling Derby heifers, i.c, yearling heifers for entry in the New Zealand Friesian Cattle £SOO Derby, when in addition to the customary prize money the branch would donate a silver cup of the _ value of £25 to 1 lie winner. The cup will become the sole property of any one breeder on being won twice in succession, or three times at intervals. In addition the branch would present a gold medal of the value of £3 3s to the winner each year. It was also pointed out by the secretary that at the Manawatu Spring Show in November the North Island championships of tho Friesian breed would be contested. A silver challenge cup and a gold medal would bo awarded to tho winner in each 'section The cups become the property ot any one exhibitor winning them twice m succession or three times at intervals. The cups ‘were at present held in the names of the Dominion Governments Dominion Woodcrest Beets (males) and Mr Vernon Marx’s Alcartra Clothilde Pietjo. Favourable comment was passed in relation to the encouragement __ given to breeders of Friesians by the \\ airarnpa P. and A, Society at its annual spring show held at Carterton. It was decided to offer this association a sum of £lO for a special class for yearling heifers; _ the stock of competing breeders to be eligible must not have won a first prize in female classes at anv show; this prize money to be divided as follows —Ist £5. 2nd _ £3, 3rd £2. _lt was also resolved to invite this association to substitute a yearling derby class for the open yearling class and to offer a gofil medal of the value of £3 3s for the wining heifer. The members were strongly in favour of encouraging competition m yearling classes, holding that every incentive should be given to breeders to develop their young stock. At this show a £lO 10s cup would also be competed tor in the two-year-old heifer class. It was decided to endorse the nomination of Mr T. H. Overton, of Lakeside, Canterbury, as judge at the North Island championship show at Palmerston North, The question of subsidising prize money or donating cups and medals at the autumn shows hold at Feilding, Levin, Dannoi irko and Masterlon was held over for discussion at the first quarterly meeting in be he.cl at Palmerston North in October. A proposal by the chairman that quarterly general meetings bo held in rotation at various centres, in addition to Palmerston North, was approved. It is proposed that at the same time field days be held in the various centres —Hutt, Mastorton or Carterton, Levin, Dannevirke, Feilding. The following subscription levy on members within the provincial area was decided upon: Owners of herds up to 10 head, £l Is; from 10 to 20 head, £2 2s; over 20 head, £3 ss. CO-OPERATION NECESSARY. The question of co-operation with other breed societies (Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, Red Polls and Ayrshire) in an endeavour to advance tho interests of dairy cattlebreeding generally was discussed, and several proposals in tin’s connection were hold over until the next meeting. In the meantime it was decided to write to the Manawatu and district A. and P. Associations pointing out that most of the big prizes offered at the societies’ shows were awarded in the dairy produce sections. In view of this it was thought that the dairy factories in their turn might bo prepared to encourage the dairy cattle-breeders by offering trophies for competition at agncultural shows. Tho donations made could bo pooled and prizes of equal value offered in tho various sections. The chairman pointed out that in Southland and the Wnirnrapa the dairy factories were large contributors to tho prize lists. A five pound donation from each factory in the district would provide good prizes. Tho factories had everything io gain by encouraging the breeding ot better dairy stock.

It was Intimated to the meeting that dairying interests in Taranaki had presented the Stratford A. and P. Association with two handsome trophies of the value of £IOO each; one is to be awarded to the breeder securing most points in Friesian cattle, and vho other for a similar honour in Jersey cattle, in Southland and Otago proprietary factories had also donated shields for competition. Ac the quarterly meeting in October a scheme will be considered dealing with the encouragement of semi-official testing, and it is hoped to institute provincial championships for production. The present champions for the Wellington province arc; Mature cow, Mr \\. Barton’s Mutual Pearl of Rock, 9031 bof butterfat. Senior four-year-old, Mr H. R. Green's Buttercup 111 of Ashlvnn, 8311 bof fat. Junior four-year old, Mi- John Donald’s West-mere Princess Pietenje, 9391 bof fat. Senior three-year-old, Mr C. Hopping's Manor Boots Daughter 2nd of Ashlvnn, 8631 bof fat, Junior three>-yenr-old, Mr R. Melvin’s Segis van Buttercup, 6581 bof fat. Senior two-year-old, Mr John Donald’s Netherland Princess IV.. 8051 bof fat. Junior two-year-old, Mr If. R. Green’s Rosa Poach of bukview. 71811> of butterfat. The secretary told a reporter to-day that he had since been informed by Mr W. T. Pennv. secretary of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, that Messrs O’Connor and Tvednum were again offering a challenge flip, value £5 ss, for best yearling Friesian bull. The former cup donated by this firm was won outright last year by tho Central Development Farm at Weraroa.