THE CATTLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 21 November 1923, Page 5

THE CATTLE

Great interest centred in tin l cattle section of the Show. There were competitors among the Jerseys, Friesians aiul in some cases among the fats that, according to the judges could hold their own in any show in the Dominion. All day long the cattle pens were well patronised, while many spectators surrounded the show ring while the judge was busily engaged at his work.

THE JERSEYS Lack year sees greater interest centred in ’ the Jersey competitions and the cattle arc now'of the very highest standard. The judge (Mr E. 1). McLennan of Papakura) said that previously lie had no idea such progress had been made in this district. The cattle, lie said, could be taken to any Show in the Dominion and they would give credit to their owners. In the threeyear and two-year-old classes the wiuners, said the judge, showed special quality of an outstanding nature. Among the hulls, the best animal was the two-year-old. It was of very fine quality and was awarded the championship ribbon over the heads of aged bulls of fairly good type. The championship ribbon for the best Jersey cow on the ground was awarded to Mr E. Smallbolie’s Arthingworth Mina, which came first in the Registered Jersey cow or heifer calved since 30th June, 1020, and prior to 30tli June, 1921 class. Mr Smallbone scooped the, pool in this competition, also securing second prize with Arthingworth Winnie and third prize with Arthingworth Belle —all bred by himself. In this class, for which competition was keen Mr W. A. Maddox’s Gowanbrao K.C. Lady Bell was very highly commended. The champion cow, Arthingworth Mina, is a beautiful beast. She was described by the judge as bein" of very outstanding quality. She is deep and lengthy in body, lias well sprung ribs showing plenty of capacity. She has also an exceptionally tine . vessel showing a -typical dairy cow of high quality. Mr McLennan said that from the head backward he had never seen anything for the same age he liked as well. The body shows the true wedge

shape. Last year Mr Smallbone secured the first, second and fourth prizes in this class. Another outstanding competition was that for the best Registered Jersey cow calved prior to 30th June, 1920. In this class Mr James Hunt secured both first and second prizes with Balia Mona Ia y and Balia Mona Queen, both bred by himself. Third prize was secured by Mr 'E. Smallbone s Balia Mona Queen Szie, also bred by Mr Hunt and Dr H. O. Wash bourn's Opal Star was very highly commended. The winning beast bus most highly spoken of by the . judge. She lias well-sprung ribs, an excellent top line and good depth of body: The shoulders-taper well into the body showing good heart room and the head is of special ..quality The muzzle is also wide and strong. She also lias a very fine vessel,' well balanced, going well forward arid extending high up the back. 'The teats..are of good size and are well placed. The judge added she would be a splendid cow to breCd front. • The Jersey bull championship ribbon was awarded to Mr E. H. Harkness hull Parkburn, 1 bred by the exhibitor. This hull crime first in the Registered Jersey Bull, calved since 30th June, 1921 and prior to 30th June 1922, class. Mr E SmaUbone’s Waikari s Acorn, bred by Mr L. H. Higgins, came second, arid 'Mr H. W. Nieliolls’ Kai-Whare s pompy bred by the exhibitor was awarded third prize. Mi E. H. ITaik ness’ champion bull greatly pleased the judge. He shows a particularly fine top g line, well-sprung ribs lias a deep hodv and a good class of head, "'th a prominent eye. Another featuie is re line length of tail with good switch, reach in®' to tiie ground. He also has very fine carriage. He is a little plain ir. the horn setting but m general appearance is, in the opinion of the judge, easily the outstanding bujl of the h)iow. 'The ’grade ctoys nointing~ p thought..tlier e|i*wonhl be ,far better cows iii 1 the I '-'district than those lmriight to the- Show: I '' They did not encourage the grade cow hut so long as the grade class was maintained in tbo Show he thought the prizes' should be better visitor Mr Me LCiinaii said: .he; tjiqqght.bc .'.had Already seen enough to cqnvuice Jilin.,that* NMson district was an ideal home foi the Terser cpw,' ; ; .It seemed ; to;ibe a- districtof small holdirigs'iriud it the object be to produce hutteii! fat ; econ6mica y ut think,” said Mr ; McLennan, r. that the Jersey bre.rid' ribqiild tprtrticulrirly C °o™hc conclusion of the judging the points were' totalled up and it was ’found that Mr E. Smallbone had won the' cup (value £lO/10/-) presented

most points in the Pedigree Jersey classes, beating Mr James Hunt by two points.

THE FRIESIANS

There were only a very small number of Friesians *in the * competitions, but the representatives were of exceptionally good typo. The judge (Mr J. Webb ‘of Taihapi) said they were a very select lot, one or two being quite fit- to compete at any of the big Shows In the Dominion. He considered the champion cow, Mr IV. O. Hammond’s Obbe-of - Willowbanks, bred by Mx J. H. Rose, was a very line cow, true to type in every way. ' The .champion bull Landsdowne Manor King, was also owned by Mr W. C'. Hammond. He was bred by Mr H. T. Cook.

FATS Mr Webb, referring to the fat cattle, said that generally speaking they were good, but many were too old and big for the export 'trade. It was, he said, very fine to see them, but from- the former's point of view he considered they were not a payable proposition. He considered it would be possible to keep three head of-younger cattle with the food necessary for one of the big beasts. Generally- speaking they were not up to the North; Island standaid, although in some instances there were splendid exhibits. Mr Webb considers all the dillerent cattle should be led out into the sliowvijio- It- was impossible for the judges to Ido full , justice to the competitors while the exhibits remained in the Mr Webb said he would again like to stress the importance of not keeping such cattle after 21 to 3 As* usual Mr F. W. Fairev supplied an enormous number of entries—some fifty in number. Mr Fairev intends stailfeoding two of his outstanding exhibits for Nelson’s representation at the first, Royal Show to be held m New Z pal and.

FAT LAMBS FOR EMPIRE EXHIBITION

With characteristic enterprise, Mr I. W. Fairev has purchased the pen ot first-prize ‘ fat lambs exhibited by Mr E. Cliallies. and will have them frozen and sent .Home, to the. Empire Exhibition.

CHAMPION SHEEP There were three champion awards for sheep. Two of these went to Mr F. G Page. Brightwater, for his Romney Marsh ram and bis ewe with lamb at loot respectively The other championship went to Mr G. W. Best, Richmond, for his Shropshire Down ram.

Additional Show reports will be lonml on page 7 of this issue. ■