THE ARGENTINE PEDIGREE STOCK TRADE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 68

THE ARGENTINE PEDIGREE STOCK TRADE

A feature of Argentine cattle is the over-whelming preponderance of shorthorns. The shorthorn breeders are so numerous and their influence is so great that it is difficult to introduce any other breed. Consequently, other breeds hardly have the same chance. There are, it is true, many breeders and advocates of the Hereford, and it is generally admitted that (.he Hereford is better than the shorthorn for the poor parts of the country, and that he is more adapted to endure hardship.

In most of the tests for fat steel’s, too, Hereford has shovra a higher persentage of 1 ' beef. The objection made to him is that he does not produce a marketable fat steer as soon as the Shorthorn. It is claimed that m the better districts, on Lucerne or the best native grasses, the Shorthorn is ready for market six months sooner, and, age for age, produces a heavier, finer grained animal. The Argentine breeders have not resorted to any special strain of Shorthorn, but the tremendous impetus lately given to the dairy industry makes the milk strains, such as those of the Bates families, popular. At. present the Cruiksliank Shorthorns predominate largely. • ? The Shorthorn bulls sought by the Argentine breeders must he short in the legs, deep and long in the body, with a good head, full wide chest, AA’ell-laid shoulders, strong loins, and wellsprung ribs, covered Avith deep, mellow flesh; also full hindquarters. The colours most in favour are deep red and roan the former preferably. Shorthorn cows, especially those knoAvn to be good milkers, and heifers of approved milking and beef antecedents, are very much in request. It seems that a good hull may always be obtained Avith a quarter of the effort required to find an equally good cow. Inditations are not lacking that the better breeders are paying more attention to the selection of dams, and that they are recognising the folly of Avasting expensive bulls on poor cows. Last all pedigree cows, even inferior and old ones, were sold at very good prices. There is a buyer, it is asserted, for every Shorthorn cow, not necessarily a choice specimen, but of good type and antecedents. To secure top prices, however, cows must he strong in the hind-quarters, and possess unmistakable beef qualities. , Of the other breeds of cattle, Herefords .will not make high prices compared with Shorthorns, though a Hereford that would command favourable attention would probably sell at a price equivalent to > 460 dollars. A criticism often made regarding the Argentine herds other than Shorthorns is the lack of really great individual sires. Breeders of our Avhitefaced cattle will be interested _in the opinion of M. Eduardo Bullrieh, whose name is well-known in England, and Avho has had extensive experience of Argentine herds. He says that the Hereford is a breed Avhich, for its adaptability to range (or ranch) conditions, hardy constitution, courage, and perseverance, combined with ideal grazing properties, will make its atay into Argentina as well as any other beef breed, though perhaps slowly. The Aberdeen Angus is making headway, and though not yet much known, is giving results that are arresting attention. In a circular letter of advice as to Avhat to breed for the new chilled beef establishment at La Plata, .the manager puts the Aberdeen-Angus second only to Shorthorns. It is thought that some first-class polled Shorthorns or red-polled hulk ought to find ready buyers; they have admirers, and there is a tendency among certain breeders to dehorn, and to strive to produce hornless cattle. The advantages in shipping and handling are sufficient to pay for considerable effort and expense. Dehorning is not much resorted to, hoAvever, especially in case of grown animals, there being a strong prejudice against it on humanitarian grounds. Some breeders and shippers, indeed, claim that it is an advantage to have the horns in handling cattle on shipboard.