BREEDS OF LIVE STOCK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 3

BREEDS OF LIVE STOCK

CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITIES IX. BEEF SHORTHORN CATTLE It is probably the world-wide reputation that the Shorthorn has earned as “ the great improver ” which _ accounts largely for the general popularity which it enjoys in many countries. The breed is sometimes referred to as the one cosmopolitan type of cattle, on account of the fact that it is distinguished by_ at least three distinct types, two of which, the beef Shorthorn and the milking Shorthorn, are in fairly general use in

New Zealand; the third, the Lincolnshire Red Shorthorn, being almost unknown. All three types sprang from the same source, hut the development of breeding in the eighteenth century saw different breeders work along different lines, some seeking to produce an entirely dairy type, others favouring the useful dual purpose animal; while others still concentrated on the evolution of a truly beef type. It is the purpose of this article to deal specifically with the beef Shorthorn, generally known as the Scotch Shorthorn, some of the finest Specimens of which in the Dominion have been bred

in Otago during the past decade from some of the most outstanding stock that have ever left Great Britain for overseas. The present day types of Shorthorn are descended from a high quality breed of cattle t which once roamed the northeastern sea-bord of England, but it was not until the eighteenth century that any notable strides were made in the evolution of the existing sections of the breed. Durham and York breeders made the first move, hut it was left to the brothers, Charles and Robert Colling, to gain first prominence in this respect. There herds -were dispersed in 1810 and 1818 respectively, and the good work they began was taken up by Messrs Booth Bros., Thomas Bates, of Kirklevington, and Messrs Warlaby and Killerby. The Booth and Bates cattle are regarded the world over as the basis of the breed. They owned their prominence to the fact that they were the reward of careful and painstaking selection on the part of their breeders, who commenced with a clear and well-defined conception of the goal at which they were aiming. In deciding first the final stage of quality and type to which they were striving they reinforced themselves with the first equipment of the successful- arid pre-eminent breeder. It was iu 1839 and 1840 that the first exhibits of the purely beef breed were entered in the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show in the name of Thomas Bates, who created a genuine sensation iu breeding circles with the display he

made. For the next 40 years the Booth and Bates cattle became the most popular in England and Scotland, and breeders made an absolute fetish of these strains, often overlooking obvious merit and quality because the animals in question contained none of the Booth and Bates blood. In the meantime Amos Cruickshank. in many opinions the “ grand old man ” of the breed, was working steadily away in Aberdeenshire trying to evolve his perfect type. In 1859 he said he had found the animal he had been looking for. His activities were crowned with such success that he finally out-bred his English fellow-breeders, and the Sittyton or Cruickshank blood became the standard. It was Amos Cruickshank also who exported the first Shorthorn cattle 1,0 America in 1875, sending away many of his finest animals, greatly to the chagrin of the British Shorthorn fanciers. Wherever the Sittyton sires were used

in either America or Britain the quality of the stock improved noticeably. There is little data available on the subject of the introduction of the breed in New Zealand, but this country followed the example of Australia secured supplies of Shorthorns from British breeders a comparatively short time after the first importations were made to America. Some splendid studs were built up in the early days and, although the decline in New Zealand’s beef export trade has seriously affected the demand for good, well-bred beef sires and dams, there are still many fine beards in New Zealand. GENERAL APPEARANCE OF BREED. A curious fact about the Shorthorn is that it never looks. its size. It is only after the closest observation that one comes to realise its actual weight and size. The breed is distinguished by its symmetrical proportions and the great bulk which is comprised in its comparatively small frame. The horns are unusually short in comparison with those of other breeds, and they curve forward gracefully. The head of the sire, of course, is the keynote of character. It should be expressive and rather broad across the forehead with fine, erect and hairy ears and a strong but not fleshy jaw. The neck should be moderately thick, muscular in the sire, sot well and straight into the shoulders, which, when viewed from the front, are wide, showing thickness through the heart. The forelegs should stand short and wide apart, and the back should be broad and flat, ribs barrel-like, springing well out and with little space between them _ and the hipbones. A well-covered loin, thick and round, is an essential. The hindquarters must be long and well-filled in, the thighs meeting low down, forming a full and deep twist. Hind legs should be short and standing wide and straight to the ground. The genera! appearance should suggest even outlines, the whole thick body being covered with a good coat of soft hair with a fine undercoat. This hair is of a most pleasing variety of colours from a soft, creamy white to a full deep red. The beef points should be covered by a soft and mellow skin giving the feeling of lying on a soft cushion, which is termed the quality or handling, indicating the great fattening propensities for which the breed is famous. Reds and roans arc most in favour, the roan being generally most ifbpulnr in the show ring. Whites with yellow skins are preferred to pure white and spotted reds and whites arc not very keenly sought after. GREAT BEEF PRODUCERS.

Of a]] the breeds that have contributed to the production of beef in Great Britain and overseas none lias played a more important part than the Shorthorn. In New Zealand the breed has been most extensively utilised for the grading up and improving of inferior types of cattle. Their progeny increase in size, form, quality, and flesh, and quickly develop that most valuable of all characteristics in the modern meat market, early maturity. There is very little beef that can surpass that of the Shorthorn for quality and carcass. The meat is tender and evenly distributed, carries a small bone, and if early maturity is bred for, the result is small, lean, nuggety joints of the kind which both butener and consumer want. The Shorthorn responds well to feeding, and when forced along lays on flesh quickly without running to an excess of fat. Hundreds of steers killed annually show a live weight of 12001 b, and specially fattened stock often weigh up to 20001 b. The aim of the breeder of beef Shorthorns should be to produce a carcass as close as possible to the orthodox rectangular shape, not too large and fattening quickly. ■ The place of the Shorthorn on the Smithfield Market is pre-eminent, and it has earned its popularity all over the world by reason of the fact that it is a good doer under almost any conditions, while its crosses can stand almost any climate. The breed has been proved very useful in Otago, and in all parts of the Dominion it has adapted itself admirably to local conditions. Its use in New Zealand has been mainly confined to crossing, however, notwithstanding the evidences of successful breeding which have been given by studmasterg in many parts. Probably no stud in Otago, in recent years at least, has attained a more envi-

able prominence than that of the late Mr J. A. / Johnstone, of Bushey Park, Palmerston, who for many years carried the name of this province into every part of New Zealand competing against the finest herds in the Dominion for Royal Show honours. His stud was founded on importations from some of the bestknown herds in Greait Britain, and it was the considered opinion of fanciers of the breed who visited New Zealand with the British farmers’ party a year or two ago, that the progeny of these importations exhibited in many respects notable improvement on the standard at Home. Mr J. W. Blair, of Abbotsford Farm, Outrain, has another Scotch Shorthorn herd which has attained some prominence in the show ring, but although there are many small herds in various parts of Otago they have not figured in local show rings to any extent. The distribtuion of bulls from the main studs has been very largely for the purpose of crossing. NATIONAL JERSEY SHOW KEEN DEMAND FOR BULLS The attendance at the three days’ National Jersey Show and Sale held at Claudelands, Waikato, was probably a record for a sale in the Dominion. Eighty breeders from all parts of the North Island contributed 302 entries, tht* majority of which came forward. The judging was carried through judiciously on the first morning when the three judges were Mr C. G. C. Dermer, president of the New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association, Mr Guy Bell, New Plymouth, and Mr H. Morland, Hamilton, three members of the Classification Committee of the New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association. The classes of yearling bulls approximated 80 each, and the individual winners were Mr A. Montgomerie, Kanwhata; Mr J. A. Mitchell, Longburn, Manawatu; Messrs A. and J. O’Donnell, Inaha, Hawera; Mr R. K. Garland, Matamata, Waikato; Mr Harry Sal way, Bell Block, Taranaki; and Mr J. A. Russell, Palmerston North. The six winning bulls met for the junior championship under the three judges, and Mr Montgomerie’s bull was awarded the supreme honour. This bull, Glendale Silver’s Prince, was afterwards purchased for a Waikato breeder at 77 guineas. His dam had just completed a record of 7161 b fat as a threc-year-old, and bis sire’s dam also had a re-

cord of 7241 b fat. The cup for the best group of three yearlings was won by Messrs R. L. Horn and Son, Ohau, Manawatu, with Messrs A. and J. O’Donnell in second place, and Messrs H. Moreland and Sons, To Rapa, Waikato, third. Ten groups comprising three bulls each contested this competition, which created enormous interest. Truby King, Waitara, won the first of the two-year-old classes with Silver Marquis. This bull also won the two-year-old championship and was reserve grand champion of the •show. He was purchased by Mr Lovegrove, of Auckland, at 135 guineas. His dam was the famous cow Ivondale Silver Rainbow, holder of the world’s record for twice-a-day niilked three-year-old of 9501 b fat. His sire, Snow View Squireen, is a notable prize winner also. The other winning two-year-old was Mr J. A. Russell’s Blythewood Caius. This was a splendid individual, but as his immediate ancestors only had herd records he was sold cheaply at 29 guineas. Mr H. Moreland (Ruakura) won the three-year-old class with Royton Ronald, an outstanding individual that was not sold because at present his dam is untested. The senior and grand championship went to Mr J. A. Mitchell’s imported herd sire Brampton Coy Volunteer. The reserve price on this bull was not reached, and he was passed in. One of his yearling sons, Santa Rosa Golden Viola, bred by Mr Mitchell, realised the top price for a pairing of SO guineas, being purchased c if 1 - Hopkins (Hinuera). The dam of this bull, Pinewoods Viola, a v.h.c. cow, has a record of 8521 b fat. Prior to, the commencement of the auction sale reference was made to the sad death of Mr J. S. Jones, a prominent Taranaki breeder, who was on his way to the sale with a consignment of yearling bulls. A motion of sympathy with his relatives was carried in silence by the sale assemblage, ihe Wright, Stephenson Challenge Cups were presented by Mr Dermer, who congratulated the winners—Mr J. A, Mitchell who carried off the grand championship, and Messrs R. L. Horn and Sou, who won the group class. The sale started off very quietly, but immediately mgh-backed butter-fat bulls of pood conformation came into the ring competition became spirited. Although, of course, prices did not reach the high levels of some years back, 14 of the picked bulls aveiaged 68 guineas, and 44 realised an average of 50 guineas. Competition for the bulls of superior class was well maintained, and was illustrated by the fact that 120 averaged over SO guineas, whereas ouV two bulls in the offering made threefigure prices. The second bull to realise three figures was Finvoy Handsome Lad, a four-year-old bull who was second in the aged bull class and was entered on account of Mr J. D. Reichenback, Gisborne This bull was sired by Carlinduff Handsome Lad from the notable breeding cow Miss Ivy. He was supported by no fewer than five tested dams, all of which had exceeded 7001 b fat. His own dam, Miss Ivy, is the dam of Finvoy Golden Noble, now at the head of the Hawkesbury College herd, New South Wales, where he recently was credited with siring the champion Australian butter-fat heifer, Richmond Honour, which produced 7051 b fat in 273 days. He was purchased by Mr W. L. Cato, Waipu, at 101 guineas. The Hawera breeders, Messrs A. and J. O’Donnell, had a very attractive line of yearlings by their imported sire You’ll Do’s Prince Cecil, a great prize-winning bull on Jersey Island. Nine of his sons averaged 27 guineas. Perfection’s Prince Cecil, out of Perfection’s Lady Girl, 0031 b fat, realised the top price of 50 guineas, being purchased by Mr W. T. Luxton, the Hamilton breeder. Dr G. Walker, of Whangarei, whose imported bull, Coronation’s Cid, was another great prizewinning bull on Jersey Island, was also represented for the first time, and six of his stock made an average of 28 guineas. Beaulieu Lavender’s Cid, a descendant oi the champion cow, Rewa Maycan, made the top price of this line, realising 40 guineas to the bid of Mrs C. A. Tye, Waihou. The Ohau breeders, Messrs R. L. Horn and Sons, secured an average of just short of 30 guineas for six lots, the top price being 50 guineas for Ku Ku Boa Emperor, a yearling son of the unbeaten champion bull, Les Niemes Emperor (imp.). The dam is a full sister to the famous champion cow Ku Ku Brooklet. Messrs Simraons Bros., Franktou, were the purchasers. Mr P. J. Petersen, Waitara, secured 47J guineas for the eight months old .bull calf, Ivondalc Blue Blood. Although his dam was untested, she was a daughter of the world’s champion four-year-old cow, Woodlands Felicie. C.O.R. 12201 b fat, and was sired by Ivondale Rainbow You’ll Do, whose dam has a three-year-old record of 9501 b fat. He was purchased by Mr J. J. Goodwin, of Morrinsville. On the second day competition was sustained and spirited practically right through. The first sale of note was of the three yearling bulls from the Middlewood stud of the Misses Kilgour Sisters, Feildiug. All ‘ three were sired by a splendidly bred butter-fat bull in Waipiko Carl, while in each case on the dam’s side there was very substantial butter-fat backing for numerous generations. The three bulls averaged just under 52 guineas, Mr M. Payton paying 54 guineas for Middlcwood Carl, whose dam had just, completed a record of 5901 b fat, and was sired by Holly Oak Major. Mrs J. Peoples, of Pukekohe, also paid 50 guineas for Middlewood Jostler, whose dam, Conqueror’s Jess, had produced 5611 b fat in 281 days only. One of the features of the sale was the splendid competition forthcoming for the good line of yearling bulls entered on account of the late J. S. Jones. The line of six averaged a sum a fraction under 38 guineas. Mr R. J. Johnston, Runciman, paid the top price of 60 guineas for Sybil’s Successor, a yearling bull by Sybil’s Volunteer (imp) from Yarrawa’s Girl a v.h.c. cow with a record of 6041 b fat, while Mr W. Darrall, Tatuanui, paid 50 guineas for All Gold’s Rexmqre, a sou of Brampton Royal Rexmore (imp.), from Bridge View All Gold, 7591 b fat. Another imported bull whose stock made a very strong impression was Mr W. T. Luxton’s Brampton Baronet. This was one of the best bulls of his age when imported from Jersey Island. The four bulls sired by him averaged 37 guineas. Ridgway Bonny Boy, whose dam was the h.c. cow, Elcho Bonny, 5821 b fat as a junior two-year-old, made the top price of 55 guineas, being purchased by Mr Bridgeman, Waitoa. Another son in Wonderful Grand Duke, was purchased by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., for the Patutnhi Bull Club, Gisborne, at 35 guineas. The top price of the second day’s sale was secured by Mr Harry Salway, of the Hua Brook stud, Bell Block. He secured 61 guineas for the yearling bull, Hua Brook Diplomat, by the great imported breeding bull, Mourier’s Oxford Noble. His dam, Pinewoods Viola’s Beauty, 5181 b fat at two years, ia a sister to the Sydney royal champion cow, Pinewoods Golden Beauty. Mr Salway secured an average of 43 guineas for this bull and two other splendid sons of Victor’s Handsome Prince (imp.), Mr T. W. Wardlaw, of Waimana, Bay of Plenty, averaged 374 guineas for two sons of Oaklands Beau Ideal, both out of great producing cows, and this breeder paid 60 guineas for Greencroft Lordship, an outsanding young bull bred by Mr J. Bones, Ohaupo, and sired by Ridgway Prince William from the outstanding three-year-old heifer, Greencroft Lady Grace, who has just completed a record of 8021 b fat and is, like the new world’s champion junior two-year-old, Greencroft Golden Grace, 8041 b fat, a daughter of another great producer in Cousin Grace, 9351 b fat as a three-year-okl. Sixty guineas was also secured by Mr W. Hears, Ngarua, for the six-year-old bull, Waipiko Conqueror, a great type of breeding bull who was purchased by Mr 11. Bridgeman, Waitoa. By Vivandiere’s Prince, he is from one of the most consistent producing families in the Waipiko herd. His dam. Wnikipo Chlorine, produced 6381 b fat as a tbroc-year-old and has many full sisters with equivalent records. There was only one son of the imported bull, Nance’s Sybil’s Gamboge, in the catalogue. A full brother to this bull is also making a mark ns a breeding sire on the island and they are sons of Sybil’s Gamboge 9th, one of the best breeding bulls of recent times. Kitcroa Gamboge Warrior, bredby Mr S. Irwin Crookes. Manngatapere. was purchased by Mr H. Washer, of Hawera, at 39 guineas. An excellent type for a breeding sire, he is out of a prize-winning and good producing daughter of Blonde’s Victor. It is noteworthy that the buyers this year represented everv province in the North Island and extended as far south as Tnvercagill. The total of the sale exceeded 4500 guineas.