Judge’s Comments On Exhibits

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1939, Page 3

Judge’s Comments On Exhibits

WHANGAREI SHOW

MILKING SHORTHORN

Next to the Jerseys, the Milking Shorthorns were the best represented in the cattle classes, evoking high praise from Mr A. E. Washer, of Manaia, one of the leading judges of the breed in the Dominion.

Exhibiting at Whangarei for the first time, Mr John McGowan, of Waiuku, scored notable successes with his team of seven animals. Dominion Concern added a third to the championship ribbons already won at Auckland and Pukekohe this year.

A fine upstanding animal, Dominion Concern is by Sis’ Prince out of Dominion Conceit, who, with 728 lb. fat, topped the production over all breeds at Ruakura State Farm.

The two-year-old 'daughter of Dominion Concern, out of Coldstream Peggy, Coldstream Purity also completed a notable treble at Whangarei. She was adjudged champion in her class and over all breeds at Pukekohe, and champion Shorthorn at Auckland, again winning at Kensington Park.

A Bay of Islands ‘breeder, Mr H. V. Kay, annexed the reserve championship with his bull, Kirihonia Fairy’s Boy, described by the judge as a remarkably good animal. He is by Mountaineer, one of the herd sires at Mr Kay’s Motatau stud, and who won the championship at Whangarei a few years ago. He has since then twice been champion of the Bay of Islands.

Described by Mr Washer as a bull which, when mature, would be a rival to the best, Mr Kay’s yearling bull out of Pinedale Mavis, by Kirihonia Fairy, won from strong competition in the yearling class. Mr Washer commented that a number of local animals were hard in the skin, probably attributable to the dry season. “Many prizes are lost in the ring owing to bad and careless leadership by the boys concerned,” the judge commented. “Good animals are handicapped in this manner. “The way in which Mr John McGowan, junr., led his animal should be a pattern to others. The Waiuku cattle walked out as if to the manner born.”

FRIESIANS, Friesian entries were good in quality, but surprisingly few in number in a district where the breeding of heavy cattle would seem advantageous, said Mr E. H. Piper, of Walton. As judge, he had the unusual experience of .awarding the female championship to a cow which he had bred when manager of the Oakview Stud. It was an outstanding animal, but he did not recognise it as being one of the many which he had turned out until his attention was drawn to the coincidence by the steward later in the day.

Mr G. E. Child, of Maungakaramea, won both championships. His bull was such ,a fine animal that Mr Child was persuaded by the judge to take him to Auckland for the Metropolitan Show last season. ROMNEYS. Coming from the Bay of Islands, where many of the largest and best flocks in the North are pastured, Mr C. F. Jones (Pakaraka) was disappointed at the small .entry of Romneys. The lamb qualities, he said, showed more quality than the older

sheep. Brought a long distance to compete, the champion ram, entered by Mr J. C. Ambury, would have scored in any competition. It denoted ,a strong constitution, and was well woolled with a good quality fleece.