A FRIESIAN INVASION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3557, 16 May 1922, Page 10

A FRIESIAN INVASION.

FRESH BLOOD. The shipment of Friesian cattle from South Africa to England in March last has been termed the most outstanding event in the history of the cattle-breeding industry of South Africa, and surely merits attention of breeders in New Zealand. It may serve to visualise, perhaps, the importance of the export trade, and incidentally the fact that w-e cannot afford to stand still, but must recognise that such a ship nient (even if we had the goods) would Ire impossible from New Zealand unless the importance of tuberculin testing and Herd Be oak backing are generally acknwledged, and breeders are loyal enough to support

their opinion in the accredited manner. The material below is supplied by the North British Agriculturist’s representative: It is obviously a difficult matter, with an alien breed such as this, to get a sufficiency of fresh blood, but enthusiasm and enterprise can do much to overcome such serious obstacles. Soma eight years ago the British breeders were successful in getting a big swill of fresh blood introduced from Holland. In these days of foot-and-mouth disease it was hopeless to think of looking to the Netherlands for any further help, but there was a place within the British Empire itself which was in an equally good position to supply the proper goods, and that was the Union of South Africa. On South Africa, accordingly, the British Friesian breeders concentrated their attention. It demanded some courage and much optimism to contemplate a successful issue to the idea of bringing cattle into Great Britain from that distant colony. But there was no lade of courage amongst the loaders of the Friesian movement in this country. They set- to work quietly and doggedly, and, with the whole-hearted co-operation of their friends in the Union of South Africa, success crowned their efforts. To make a Jong story short, the Friesland Cattle Breeffefy^® oc * e ty of South Africa obtained authority fRm "ife , -Jd riii . Kh Government to export to Britain speclahyseleeted Friesland cattle, aSSLGre shipment was expected too be ianded hampton at the end of March. —A Unique Test. — The conditions under which this shipment is being brought in are unique in their way. Ilia cattle had to be the progeny of cow's certified by the Union Government of South Africa, to have produced a minimum of 12,0001 b of milk in 300 days (14,6001 b per annum), with a minimum but-ter-fat percentage of 3.3, averaged over the lactation period. The cattle were required to undergo a period of four calendar months’ quarantine, reckoned from the date on which they entered the quarantine station in South Africa, (b) the period of the voyage from South Africa to Great Britain, and (c) quarantine for the remainder of the period of four months at, the quarantine station on landing in Great Britain, subject to this period being not less than two calendar months. The conditions, however, do not end there. The tuberculin tests in the quarantine station in South Africa were performed under the same conditions as those laid down and agreed upon with the Union Government for cattle exported from Great Britain to South Africa; and a further condition w r as that no cattle could be accepted from a herd in which contagious pleuro-pneumonia had ever existed, and no cattle could be accepted for inclusion in the draft from a herd affected with any contagious form of disease at the time of selection. Special inspectors wore appointed by the Friesland Breeders’ Association of South Africa to carry out the work of selection, and representatives of the British Friesian Cattle Society, including their very live secretary, Mr George Hobson, also visited South Africa in order to guarantee that the animals conformed to the high standard of excellence required of them. —Character of the Shipment.—■ It may be stated that the shipment are not" only the offspring of South Africa’s greatest sires, but the progeny of South Africa’s best cows. The average milk production of the dams of the whole consignment is over 15,0001 b of milk in 300 days, the average butter-fat percentage

test being over 3.5. Both milk and butterfat teists are under Government supervision. In one instance the dam’s yield is as high as 24.7851 b of milk in 300 days, 'rdh an average butter-fat percentage of 3.64. This project must he regarded as a triumph for the South African Friesland breeders, who have sent over a consignment of cattle not only conforming to the British Government’s high standard of requirements and regulations limit, but fully warranting the decision to import and the confidence of home breeders, who are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to receive tins new and valuable blood. South African Hospitality.—y .The members of the Friesland Cattle Society of South Africa at present in this country then took occasion to entertain at luncheon a few of the British breeders and agricultural press representatives for the purpose of giving something of an official send-ott to the new movement. The chair was occupied by Mr Francis Harrison, formeriy South African Trade Commissioner to Great Britain. He represented the president of the Friesland Cattle Society of South Africa, Mr Harry Abrahamson, who is nimself accompanying the shipment on board the s.s. Chepstow Castle, which left Gape town on March 7. The chairman, in name of the Friesland Society of South .Africa, extended to their guests a most cordial and hearty welcome, ihe society, he said, were exceedingly giatefui for the sympathy and heloful cooperation which they had received in their efforts to introduce new Friesian blood for the benefit of British breeders. He confessed that it had not been achieved without difficulties, but he was not to touch upon these. It was sufficient for them that they had at last attained their object, and they hoped that they had been able to supply animals of the Retired type, and constitution which the British breeders required. It was the most outstanding event m the history o£_ the cattle-breeding industry of South Africa. Might he further add that they considered it something of a triumph for the youngest chilcT of the British domestic family, and one which they hoped would merit the fullest- confidence of the Mother Country in agreeing to the importation. He submitted that it was doubtful whether Holland could equal —they ventured to think that it could not surpass—the all-round excellence of typo, constitution, and records of the bunch of youngsters which had now been sent from Soutn Africa. The consignment numbered 95 head of pure-bred Friesians, which, after the prescribed two months’ quarantine at Southampton, would be sold in June at some centre to be afterwards fixed. The shipment had been selected from all the Provinces of the Union by a board of inspectors appointed by the South African Friesland Cattle Society, every consideration having been given to breeding, constitupon, truoness of type, and beauty of conformation, as well as the very important considerations of milk and butter-fat production. The animals selected comprised the best blood of the breed, and their record in the latter respect were something of which they, South Africans, felt, proud. He concluded by remarking that they expected excellent results from the shipment. Though times were hard and difficult they knew they would got a fair and square deal, and they hoped this shipment, would be the forerunner of further consignments to the benefit of the Friesland cattle breed in this country, thus tending to cement the bonds of Empire, which, in these troubled days, was so desirable and so imperative.—(Applause.) Mr Arthur Cannon, in the course of an interesting speech, remarked on the fact that the first cattle imported from Europe to -South Africa were Frieslands, and they were now the first breed to be exported from South Africa to Europe. He said that the South African Government were extramely interested in this experiment, though they had really nothing to do. with it, because the improvement of the cattle industry of South Africa was a vital concern which their agricultural department had done aa great deal to foster. He did not "believe there was a country in the Empire That had done more in the prevention and control of cattle diseases than the Agricultural Department of the Union of -South Africa. —(Applause.) The step now taken they regarded as a mile-stone in the progress of of South Africa. He most heartily wished the enterprise the greatest success, and trusted that their expectations would be fully realised.—(Applause.)