IMPROVEMENT OF AYRSHIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21828, 15 December 1932, Page 2

IMPROVEMENT OF AYRSHIRES

EFFECT OF IMPORTATIONS BREED SOCIETY’S ENTERPRISE One of the most unusual enterprises yet conceived in connection with the improvement of New Zealand's pedigree stock was the Ayrshire Cattle Breeders’ Association of New Zealand’s improvement scheme. This came into being in 1929, and in the following year the president, Mr A. M. Weir, of Edendale, Southland, and the vice-president, Mr Fred Mills, of Hawera, Taranaki, made a visit to Canada and there selected from leading studs five of the best young bulls in that country. These bulls represented the best strains in Scotland as imported into Canada. As individuals they were of very high merit, their sires were in each case outstanding breeding bulls, and the dams were cows of exceptional type and class and included, the world’s champion three-year-old, 7551 b fat on two milkings a day, former world’s champions with records of 8091 b fat and 9781 b fat, and the aged champion with 6761 b fat at 15 years, etc. This importation scheme was made possible by 25 members of the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association guaranteeing the funds required for the purchase and importation expenses. After the importation the bulls were sold at auction in Wellington by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., and realised the following prices; Harnelbel Calamity Pride, Mr A. M. Weir. Southland. 210 guineas: Credholme Top Grade, Mr H. H. Olson, Taranaki, 170 guineas; Avonsyde Star of Fame. Mr J. G. Donald, Wairarapa, 305 guineas: Selwood First Choice, Mr Fred Mills, Taranaki, 200 guineas; Selwood Highland Prince, Mr T. G. Dobie, Southland, 180 guineas. The five bulls averaged 213 guineas, and the result of the sale was a very considerable profit to the association. The proceedings of the sale were broadcast, and the result of the enterprise was greatly to stimulate interest in the Ayrshire breed. All the bulls imported have developed splendidly in New Zealand, and have accounted for championships in practically every part of the Dominion. In addition to these five bulls, a further six bulls were imported from Canada either as a result of the visit to Canada by Messrs Weir and Mills, or direct by the breeders concerned. The butter-fat records behind these importations ranged up to 12001b—the present world’s record. These bulls were imported by or for Messrs J. G. Donald, Tauherenikau, Wayrapapa; D. Buchanan, Tiakitahuna, Palmerston North (2); R. S. Weir, Edendale, Southland; A. M. Weir. Mataura Island, Southland: and T. M. Thomson, Waiuku, Auckland. The first bull iraported, and prior to the importation scheme, was Mr J. G. Donald’s Thorucroft Star Boy. This bull has been undefeated in NeW Zealand and has scored championships at successive Royal Shows. His stock give an evidence of the value the importations made will prove to the Ayrshire breed as well as the dairying industry as a whole. Last year his first crop of yearlings swept the board at the Wairarapa, Manawatu. Hawera, > and Royal (Christchurch Shows). This year, bis two-year-olds have made a phenomenal record. His sons have won championshins already at the Wairarapa, Royal (Palmerston North), Timaru, Dunedin, and Hawera Shows, while his two-year-old daughters in milk have won championships and reserve championships at the Royal, Wairarapa, and Hawera Shows, and his two-year-old daughters in milk under O.H.T. are giving at the rate of 501 b per day—a wonderful achievement. The sweeping successes of this bull’s stock are indicated by the fact that at the Wairarapa Show his sons were first and second and champion and reserve in two-year-olds, first and second in yearlings, and his daughters were first and reserve and second in two-year-olds, and first, second, and third in yearlings in a class of nine. At the Royal, almost similar honours were won in very large classes, the progeny of Thorncroft Star Boy also winning for his owner the Sir Charles Fergusson Challenge Cup for most points. Already the oldest progeny, now yearlings, of Star of Fame, the top-priced bull at the importation sale, are assisting in making new breed history, as several of these were also prize-winners at the Royal and Wairarapa Shows and another was first and reserve champion at the Gisborne Show. The success of the Ayrshire enterprise should focus the attention of other breeders’ associations to the value of collective effort in the bringing about of herd and flock improvement.