Eliminating Scrub Bulls

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 11

Eliminating Scrub Bulls

DEFINITION REQUIRED FIRST The question of the scrub bull and its influence on dairy production was raised l at the meeting of the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday when a remit from the OtakiTe Horo section “That it be a recommendation to the provincial executive to investigate the advisability of moving for the elimination of the scrub bull” was discussed and it was referred back for further consideration. Mr. V. J. Cottle said his branch had thought it possible there might be some scheme for a levy to be brought down on dairy produce to subsidise those farmers unable to afford a better class of bull. When the Herd Testing Association had defined what was a scrub bull would be the time to press for assistance, said Mr. G. J. Wilde. Mr. J. T. Kent said he was opposed to the whole thing. He had suffered through using a pedigree bull and had been forced to fall back on a scrub bull. Mr. Wilde: But a pedigree bull may be a scrub bull. Mr. Howell thought the real thing was to eliminate the “scrub” breeder. He knew of some breeders who were securing more results to-day than ten years ago. If the w hole position was taken up by the Dairy Board something of value might be attained. Mr. McLeavey thought it was really a question for a farmer to select a bull that would give the best results. Possibly they were trying to force something on the farmers that might be taken as a slight. Another speaker suggested that in the last 20 years the average production had been raised from 1401 b?. to 240ibs. and there had been no question of the scrub bull.