Hereford Cattle Breeders

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 1423, 19 June 1936, Page 5

Hereford Cattle Breeders

ANNUAL MEETING HELD The annual meeting of the New Zealand Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association was held at the show grounds on Wednesday afternoon, Mr F. E. Humphreys (president) presiding. The annual report set out that the financial position was very satisfactory, an excess of income over expenditure of £3f 2s 4d the accumulated fund to £657 19s sd. The income from fees and other sources amounted to £4O 15s lid more than that for the previous year while expenditure had slightly increased. A grant- of £2O was made to the Royal Society while a further £2O was expended on donations to various A. and P. Associations. The sale of bulls held last October was rather disappointing from a breeders point of view, very few sales were made and prices offered were low. It must be remembered, however, that in any initial venture, immediate success is not assured, and perhap better results will eventuate, if the fixture is persisted in, and not allowed to lapse. A comparison of tho figures for Vol.

37 and 37 of the Herd Book showed that the Hereford was more than holding its own, tho respective figures being 1006 as against 1142. Transfer certificates were issued during the year for 114 cows and 38 bulls while export certificates were issued for 6 bulls, au increase of 3 in the number issued last year. Importations during the year, both horned and polled, totalled 28, two being horned and the balance polled. From reports received some excellent cattle had come to tho Dominion and there was no doubt that tho standard of the breed would be kept up if not improved upon. Mr J.’M. James (Masterton) congratulated the association on the successful financial position revealed in the statement of accounts. He considered that it was proper for the association to keep before breeders its activities. The keen competition in the frozen meat trade from Argentine and Australia warranted close attention to the matter of breeding. It was not tho big coarse beast that was-wanted to-day; it was tho younger, and quicker maturing breed and he urged upon breeders tho necessity of closely watching the position. Tho speaker did not desire to touch on the subject of the foot and mouth disease embargo but w-ould remark that there was a need for new blood if breeders were to successfully meet the competition mentioned above. Mr James referred to the steady introduction of the polled Hereford and predicted that the day was not far distant when th'ho horned Hereford would be a beast of the past. Mr E. M. Cranston (Fordell) said that after seeing the cattle at tho Sydney Royal Show he was rather in, favour of the lifting of tho embargo. All the cattle exhibited were by imported bulls and as far as he could see tho Australian breeds w-ero leaving New Zealand behind. He was now convinced that tho embargo should be lifted to enable breeders to obtain cattle from England. The report and balance sheet were adopted without further discussion. Election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr F. E. Humphreys (re-elected); hon- treasurer, Mr E. E. Short; auditor, Mr K. S. Glendinning; council, Messrs E. Jefferson, W. K. Morton, D. Tynan and \V. B. White. A letter was read from Mr G. F. Moore, of Kai Iwi, seeking information on regulation regarding the classification in the Herd Book, of cows mated with polled bulls. The position was that he had mated a horned cow with a polled bull and this action required that the cow would in future be recognised in the polled section. He had previously had a splendid -heifer from this cow, sired by a horned bull, and he desired to try mating her again with the horned sire. The chairman moved, pro forma, that the paragraph in the conditions of entry to the association’s Herd Book which provided that once a cow had been bred to a double standard polled Hereford bull, the animal must remain for all time in the polled Hereford division of the herd book, be deleted. Mr J. M. James seconded the motion and could not see any objection to tho proposal which in no way interfered with tho standard or quality of tho breed. Mr W. K. Morton could not sco any reason against the proposal other than it might perhaps lead to confusion in the matter of registration of the dam which would be entered in two sections. The question of identification arose and might create a difficulty. Mr H. B. Stuckv said that in his opinion there was no necessity- for tho change advocated by Mr Moore and intended by the resolution. The point was that , the cow- was . registered aud there was no need to disturb that registration as he could breed from the cow by a borrowed bull. The .chairman said that it was a question of registering tho progeny-. How would they be classified and registered, in the polled section or in the horned section? Mr J. Brice (Marton) reminded tho meeting that American breeders appeared to be able to meet the position as they- recommended the use of a. horned bull every five years to keep up the size of the breed. Mr Stuckey admitted that if a bull calf resulted from tho changed mating it would be disfranchised. That„ was the risk breeders took but Mr Mooro had obtained a splendid heifer, calf and was desirous of getting another. The motion was defeated ;on. f a show of hands and'it'was decided to forward a letter to-.Mr,2Moore-setting.• ou.t points raised during the discussion.