TYPE IN LIVESTOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22005, 11 January 1935, Page 16

TYPE IN LIVESTOCK

STANDARDS AT SHOWS BASIS OF JUDGING VALUE TO THE FARMER DY H.U.T. From time to t-imo 0110 licars it questioned whether livestock shows as at present conducted are as valuable to the ordinary farmer as they might he. Critics, 1 think, are almost universally in agreement that agricultural shows, which present a common ground where good stock can compete and where the average farmer can formulate ideals toward which ho should work in his breeding, are an asset, and, indeed, a necessity for any country which depends upon its primary products. The criticism is levelled more at the standards of merit set by the associations and the lack of eneouragomcnt given to breeders to evolve new types of established breeds which might conceivably bo of gieat value to the Dominion, and even to the world. It is astonishing that in this new country, where the mineral composition of the soil, pastures and climatic influences are so different from those in Great Britain, livestock from the Homeland has acclimatised so successfully. This does not mean, however, that the standards of merit fixed for those animals in their orginal environment can, or should be, maintained in their new home. The determihed effort by both the breed and agricultural and pastoral societies to maintain English standards of merit, almost quite regardless of tho comparative productive value of the animals in their new sphere, discourages the development of new types which might be infinitely more valuable to our Dominion. Detrimental Features A further point of criticism which I have heard is that breed features, sometimes having little or no relation to productive capacity, and, indeed, sometimes being detrimental, are given too great consideration by tho breed societies, and, through them, by the judges. While colour or marking may bo an indication of established prepotency in some breeds regard for it is frequently carried to ridiculous extremes. The size, set and colour of horns on dairy stock, which can be largely artificially controlled, and which in any case are a disadvantage under ! domestication, are features which might ! well be disregarded in estimating the I animal's merits.

In respect to colour, it is recorded that Robert Bakewell, probably the greatest breeder in history, used a black ram which in every other respect—conformation, bone and constitution—was suporior to any white ram in his flock. He thus totally disregarded colour in favour of more important features, knowing Jihat once ho had established the essential characteristics, he could control the colour of the fleece with little difficulty. Evolving New Types

The adherence to types and standards formulated in the Old Country, which characterises the giving of awards at our shows, has a definite tendency to discourage the evolution of New Zealand breed types which, in many instances, would be of much greater value to us than the imported stock. This is particularly noticeable in Romney sheep, in which the smaller-framed, lighter-boned animal carrying a heavy •fleece of lustrous locky wool matures earlier and is a more valuablo producer of wool than those sheep conforming to English standards. In my opinion the time has arrived when a separate class, or classes, should bo allocated .for "Dominion type" Romneys to encourage the evolution of the most valuablo types of this breed for the various environments in which they are now established.

Great size of frame and bone has long been looked upon as evidence of strength of constitution, and desirable from a profit-producing viewpoint, and this fallacy is generally maintained by tho judges in our show-rings. The modern consumers' demand is almost entirely for a small joint from an animal which has come to maturity quickly. Tho size of'tho joint is, of course, regulated by the requirements of the smaller families of to-day, and the demand for greater meat variety. The preference for young, or quicklymatured, meat, is based on the tenderness and superior flavour of all young, quickly-growing foodstuffs, and the scientific discovery that attractive flavour in vegetable and animal products is an indication of nutritive value.

Advantages of Small Animals

Add to these considerations tho advantages which the small animal has over the large—that a greater number of tlio small can be carried on a given area of pasture, and that they maintain their condition better under shortage of feed—and it is hard to see why judges and the societies they represent, favour the outsize specimen. It is now a fairly widely-held opinion that balanced development in livestock is the only road along which sound improvement can take place. Admittedly certain organs and products, such as the mammary glands in tlio dairy cow, the wool and mutton of sheep* and the side of a bacon pig, are of more immediate interest to the producer than thoso other organs and features which nature has provided to enable the animal to live and enjoy good health, but by the unbalanced development of any one of tlieso features a greater strain is thrown upon other correspondingly weakened organs, and health, productivity and even life itself may bo destroyed. At almost every show one will see judges devoting practically the whole of their time to the productive capacity of the animals with at most a glance at the indications of strength through corresponding development elsewhere, which alone can enable tho animal to be a constant, heavy producer. Unbalanced development is particularly noticeable among our dairy stock, and is undoubtedly largely responsible for many of the ailments which afflict modern, heavy-producing cows. It is certain, that, to bo of continued and real use to tho ordinary farmer who attends livestock shows to gain knowledge which is useful to him in his practical farming, these and other standards of merit will have to be drastically revised. The exhibitions will then become a real guide to perfection in production.