AN AYRSHIRE HERD

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 62

AN AYRSHIRE HERD

ON MB) S. STANDEN'S FARMS, MANA'VVATU.

■ (Special to the “New Zealand Mail.”) Amongst the most successful breeders of Ayrshire cattle in the Manawatu is Mr iS. Standen, of Kelvin Grove, whose f arm is situated within hsvo miles of Palmerston. The Ayrshire is unquestionably the most important not to say the most typical example of a milking cow in the country of her nativity— tne British Isles —and what applies to the latter country has found equal force in application to the colony of New Zealand. Her prolific milking capacity, hardy constitution and adaptability to climatic conditions are qualities that must appeal to the practical dairy farmer, who, in laying .out his capital calculates in obtaining the cow that can be relied on to yield a handsome return- -on his investment. The first essential to bringing out a cow’s milking capacity is feed, of which grass is the staple commodity. It is no exaggeration to say the Manawatu is one of the finest grassed counties in the colony, and ’s a large contributing factor towards its splendid success in dairying. Mr Standen is\ the possessor of two farms within a few miles of each other, situated in the midst, of the Manawatu and close to Palmerston North.

In a walk over both places a “New Zealand Mail” representative availed himself of ah opportunity to inspedt the well - known - Ayrshire herd -of Mr Standen, which has" at numerous times placed his name oh the prize lists of the leading agricultural shows of.tl».e Island. A glorious day g r ave the desired opportunity of seeing the farm under working <n nditions, and after Avandering through a fine orchard coA T ering some three acres of ground, the first ' acquaintance tpr gained -with the herd : n an adjoining paddock, Avhere were several cows with their, calves.

“I believe in allowing stock to breed under natural conditions,” said Mr Staaden, in response to an inquiry, “and Hr that reason you will notice my cows are allowed to calve in the open/’ This is probably the keynote to Mr Standen’s success. This herd has a sturdy ana healthy appearance that. cannot but fin'd favour with the experienced dairy farmer. The herd has never been afflicted by milk fever, and in these days of dairying eminence, the small farmer has more than a premium against loss to his credit when his herd is free from predisEosition to this aff'ection.y Mr Standen’s erd, Avhile not'pampered under artificial conditions, has disillusioned the fancies of breeders Avho descend to artificialities in breeding by- the show record that stands to its credit. •> . .. .

Leaving the coavs Avith their, young stock, the next move avus made'to a large paddock Avhere the main section df the bulls is kept. Here again one is struck by the magnificent condition and healthy appearance of the animals, which were lazily nosing amongst the rich fodder, looking the picture of contentment. Contrary to Avhat is generally believed >i Ayrshires the bulls as a Avhole Avere quiet as a herd,.of cows and displayed an inclination tOAvards being handled. ‘'That bull there,” said Mr _Standen, pointing to a fine shapely specimen, "is one of three bred by Mr Peter Ireland, of Goodwood, Waikouaiti, Otago, and was got by the well-knoAvn sire . Duke ,of York/' There are two others here if Aim same breeding. That youngster you see on the right is got byMaster Ayrshire jacir, of Ayrshire Park, out of Princess May LV one of my best cows. She was champion at Palmerston and Masterton for o n lh 1902 and 1903 shoAvs.” The youngster referred to, Avho showed fine quality and breeding throughout,- Ayas as quiet as •he proverbial lamb, and appreciated ieing stroked doAA'n. not Ayrshires as a rule inclined to bo skittish ” asked o««r representative. "More -often, nerhaps, than otherwise, although my experience of them is quite the reverse, ” was the response. "My cattle get a lair amount of handling AA r hen they are- young, and probably that is-the -easoii why they are s 6 quiet.” - Punning in tlie paddock were a few heifers, one of Avhich Avas pointed out as Humility—a very 'fine aristocratic type promising well for the future. Her first appearance in the show ring last vear saw her unbeaten, her honours being Ist and champion at Carterton, and Ist at Hastings and IVoodville. She is one;,of the late additions to the herd, coming from the well-known Ayrshire herd <ol Mr Dan. McGregor, vvoston, Oamaru. Several others were also pointed out bearing the characteristic type and quality of tfie Ayrshire.

“This is a fine grass country/’ said Mr Standen, stroking a heifer, as she stood idly chewing her cud. "Look at the conditien of these cattle. It is surprising when you think that grass is the only food they get, nevertheless it is true/' Shortly afterwards we went to the second farm, pleasantly . situated in a luxuriant locality between Palmerston and Bunnythorpe. The first animal to be noticed was the famous old sire, Puke of York, the winner of thirty-four firsts and championships in all parts of the colony. He is reputed to be the largest bull of his breed in New. Zealand and certainly looks it. He is, indeed, a magnificent type of Ayrshire, possessing excellent quality and showing strength of breeding throughout, A glance at his pedigree shows that he was got by Sir James, out of Merton Queen, and,was bred by Mr T. White, of Merton, Otago. The bull, came to his present owner from Mr Peter Ireland, who went home to Scotland -this year with the object of securing an Ayrshire bull. He says that of a 1! the stock he saw in. Scotland, there was nothing that could equal .Duke of Y ork. If is principally through the possession of the latter Mr Sfancien has been a Pie to build up such a fine nerd, which requires no second inspection to determine its very fine quality and breeding. That a good sire is requisite to successful breeding is an acknowledged axiom among diary farmers, and if this be so tken..an importance relatively the same is equally applicable to a dairy cow. Princess May (N.Z. Herd Book, Vol. 3, Foster Pratt) was mentioned bv Mr Jtan-

den as mother to some of the best cows in the herd as a move was made in [be direction of the milking sheds. “Nothing like plenty of light and ventilation about these sheds,” added Mr Standen as we came into the bails. The bark of a dog across the field gave the first intimation of the approach of the dairy ooavs, which a moment later moved into vieAV from behind a clump of shelter bush. There Avere 30 in all. They afforded a fine sight coming up to the yard—a Avhite mov.'iig mass relieved by splashes of colour lhafc form the characteristic marking of the Ayrshire. A closer inspection revealed the splendid condition of- the coavs, Avhich as a whole Avere a magnificent collection, shoAving their fine breeding at every point. AJoaa's like these ,with their fine healthy condition, prove the fallacy of breeding under artificial conditions. An.old champion at HaAvke’s Bay (2), Carterton, and Wanganui, named "Tricksy,” looking in great form, Avas examined Avjtli interest. She is a racy specimen, showing quality all over, and is mother to a number of young stock in the herd. Other typical examples, including Princess May 111 , IV., and V., from the champion cow cl the same name mentioned aboA-e, Avere also brought into notice. One of these coavs, Avhich gained championships at Palmerston and Masterton last year Thor debut to the slioav ring) has been pronounced by the judges to be equal if not better than the * mother herself. "This cow, ‘Modesty’ by name,” said Mr den,- patting a shapely looking animal, "has never been shoAvn, but she will be most difficult to beat in the slioav ring. She Avas bred by Mr Wm. Meek, Enfield, North. Otago.” The coav was certainly of a promising stamp, and possessed, as could be learnt oil closer acquaintance, the docile qualities characteristic of the 1 herd.

Aftenvards a move Avas made for liio younger stock, Avhich were reposing m an adjoining paddock, looking full of condition and as if there was nothing to live for but to eat. One of the most important essentials to successful breeding that is regarded -by Mr 'Standen is securing physique. To obtain this, he keeps his heifers until they attain a mature s.*ze before bringing them in for milk. After selecting Avhat is likely to produce the best quality in his stock, this method of encouraging physique, Avithout forcing it at the expense of then other qualities, is given as free a rein as possible. Consequently the noticeable feature about the first heifers that - Avere examined ' was their splendid size and condition. Some idea of this strong feature may be obtained from the view appearing in this edition of the “Mail,” shoAving a herd 2-year heifers, and entitled 1 "A Portion of the Herd at ‘Home’.’' In tlie same paddock the well-known Ayrshire n.w “May of IngleAvood,” Avhich Avas first at Masterton last year Avas pointed 'out. • In an adjoining paddock, a number of fine vigorous looking heifers vere examined Avith interest, as they Avere all sired by the “Duke of York.” Again the eminent qualities of the famous old sire were to be seen showing at all poiots through the stock, Avhich represented a choice collection in themselves, and an ideal type of Ayrshire. These two Haddocks form practically the nursery of Mr Standen's herd. The land has many natural advantages, situated as it is on the banks of one of tlie many creeks that thread their course over the West mast, flooding occasionally and spreading rich silt on the adjoining lands. Fed under such conditions, aJJ the best in young stock is brought out and developed to advantage. In another paddock, a valuable section of the herd is to hq seen. Avhich include several fine breeding coavs. Of singular interest is a 19-vear-old mother named Ncaah, whose pedigree appears betAveeu the coA r ers of the NeAV Zealand Herd Book. She has been one .of the foundation stones in Mr Standen's herd and is now passing her last years in peace amongst her younger relations. A three-ycar-old cow, in calf to the Duke of York, is also Avorthy of special, mention. She comes from Mr P. Ireland’s unbeaten coav (in'milk) "Flower.” and has been the subject of several offers for re-pur-chase from her original owner. A very pjcruising stamp of a cow is tlie immediate impression to be received from a casual examination of her many attractive qualities. This- concluded -the tour of inspection. In conversation with Mr Standen, has been associated Avith Ayrshiro cattle piactically all his life, cur correspondent gallered many interesting details respecting the treatment and care required for the successful upbringing of a dairy cow. There avrs ample demonstration to be had of the valuable milking qualities Aipon Avhich the fame of the Ayrshire nas been built up. But those Avho are anxious to get into touch Avith inimitable methods in dairying and desire to see tha class of purebred cattle the colony can prcouce are advised to.visit stud farms like Mr Standen's and test the evidence of the foregoing remarks. Visitors to the slicAvs of tlie ManaAvatu A. and P. Society, of Avhich Mr Standen is a vicepresident, can invariably rely on seeing typical specimens of the herd above described.