Jersey Breeders’ Protest Meeting

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 259, 1 November 1940, Page 3

Jersey Breeders’ Protest Meeting

A well attended meeting of Jersey cattle breeders testing their hedrs under the group herd test system, was. held in Palmerston North. Mr. R. C. Leach, of Woodville, was voted to the chair. Representatives were present from the Hawke’s Bay-Wairarapa and Manawatu. The purpose of the meeting was to organise breeders to protest against the suggested move by the council of the Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association, discriminating between bulls from dams tested undor the group herd test system, as opposed'to the C.O.R. and official herd test systems. The Jersey Association Council, in making provision for certain standards of production by the darns of bulls before their association would recognise the transfer of such bulls from the breeder, suggested that they be | classified into “stud” bulls and “breed” bulls, according to certain I standards of production, in the different I systems of testing. Those from group tested dams were to Ibe classified as “breed’’ bulls, those from C.O.R. or O.ILT. tested dams as ‘ ‘ stud ’ ’ bulls. This would infer - that t.he “breed” bulls were only second class bulls. Many speakers considered this grossly unfair, in so far that they might have cows of far greater producing ability and even of superior type, yet they would be labelled as not fit for a stud herd. Although provision has been made in tho suggested rules for cows that have qualified under the Lifetime Merit Register, and for bulls which have proved themselves by their daughters, under the sire survey, it was considered this would be too long in taking effect, and therefore not in any way acceptable to group herd testing breeders. The meeting which was convened by Messrs. A. Montgomerie, of Kauwhata, and Geo. Young, of Bulls, was enthusiastically supported by some 60 protests received from breeders scattered throughout the Wellington West Coast and Hawke’s Bay East Coast areas. Many speakers voiced their strong objection to the suggested discrimination, and agreed to do all they could to dissuade the Jersey Council from proceeding along the lines suggested. It was felt that to get results, it was essential to bring the purpose of the meeting to all group herd testing breeders throughout New Zealand. With this In view, a sub-committee was formed to organise breeders in other districts and obtain their support. The following resolution was carried unanimously: “Tha.t the Jersey Breed* t?rs’ Council bo written, asking them to make no discrimination between ‘stud’ and ‘breed’ bulls, for the purpose of transfer by thlie Breed Society. The following were elected to form a deputation to place the views of the meeting before the Jersey Breeders’ Council: A. Montgomerie, J. C. Davidson, Geo. Young and A. A. O’Donnell. To deal with further business, a committee composed of the following seven breeders was elected: J. H. Taylor, H. Bowen, A. Montgomerie, A. D. Prentice, R. C. Leach, J. C. Davidson, and A. A. O’Donnell. Mr. D. Bockett was elected honorary secretary, and at a. subsequent meeting. Mr. R. C. Leach was elected chairman of tho committee.