OTAGO’S SHOWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 14

OTAGO’S SHOWS.

SOME RANDOAI IMPRESSIONS. The show season is now well and manv fixtures have already been dis* posed of. The privileged person (says •Rusticus”) who has the opportunity of moving from place to plac© following up the shows in the various districts gets an insight into the live stock resources of the province, and in the case of a show like the Royal Agricultural Society’s exhibition at Addington—a random glance at the wealth of the whole Dominion. Of course, at every function of this sort there is always a “nark”—to use a slang term—a man or two forever “agin tho government,” and always with a grouch. This type is never at a loss for something' to criticise and condemn, but of his grievances most people take little notice. Still from chance remarks which fall from the lips of exhibitors and details which one observes in sauntering round pen and show ring, it is obvious that there are many little points—insignificant perhaps in themselves—which hinder the smooth running of arrangements at stock shows. One of the most responsible duties which falls to the lot of the A. and P. Society executive is the nomination and selection of judges for every section. To be strictly scrupulous and honest are not the only essentials of a stock judge. He must be efficient, conscientious, and thoroughly conversant with the latest developments in type and breeding in tne particular breed in which he is interested. Types and qualities change with changing conditions, and the judge must keep pace with such movements. A man may know all about his particular breed of stock up to a certain point, but that is not. sufficient. If he is not conversant with all the latest developments he fails utterly as a judge. An instance of this can be found in the case of beef cattle. What was considered an excellent typo of beef animal some years ago is treated with scant respect m present-day show rings. The tendency now ig to get away from the old heavy beef cattle and loan more to what is known in the trade ns “baby beef**— beef that matures quickly—animals that fatten in the shortest possible time. Thi* change has boon accepted almost universally in the fat stock trade of the United Kingdom. Thus a judge not familiar with this development in fat stock growing is liable to i>ass over animals bred along the latest accepted lines. The stewards of a society also have much lo do with the success of a show, and the just judging of the various classes. A regulation which is very often forgotten by these officials is that relating to the age of stock exhibited. When entries are received it ii usual for exhibitors to furnish particulars ns to the date in which an animal was born. Ibe judge has no mean* of ascertaining how old an animal is beyond what information is conveyed by the cU**

in which the entry appears. It is the duty of the attendant steward to supply these details, without reference, of course, to the exhibitor concerned. How important such a procedure is can be gauged by the fact that an animal born according to English time is seven or eight months younger than one born on the same date in New Zealand time. The disparity in age is a big factor, and with cognisance of such a difference the comparison of the two is scarcely a just one. It can easily be seen how much depends on the stewards’ fulfilment of his functions in this connection. This dereliction of duty was noticed even at the Royal Show, and several judges to whom the matter was mentioned stated that they had received no information of the kind required from the attendant steward. This is a small matter which could easily be remedied, and the remedy would be a great boon to breeders exhibiting imported stock. If the judge is aware of a difference in age he can make the necessary allowances in such points as size and constitution. Otago has some excellent sheep studs of all breeds, but when these flocks are represented at shows few dare to challenge their right to all the prize money. This has been painfully apparent in one or two classes at every snow. Such breeders as J. A. Johnstone, H. T. Little, O. Grey, It. T. Jopp, Murray Bros., the New Zealand and Australian Land Co., O. T. Parry, and D. J. Ross send their consignments to their respective shows, and find that too often they are the sole occupants of the sheep pens. The same thing applies in almost as marked a degree in cattle sections. Of course, there is an aspect of live Stock breeding and exhibiting which is often overlooked. The effect of such displays on the hundreds of farmers who visit •hows each year should be in the direction of inculcating a desire to improve the Soneral standard of the flocks and herds in le country.

One often-mentioned point about shows Which will bear reiteration in conclusion Is their educative and instructive aspect. The most experienced farmer, if he wishes, can always find at a show something new to study, some tricks of the trade he does not know or some points in type, breeding, and inbreeding, and the care of animals which will be of use. There are always little imperfections, absolute methods, and erroneous ideas which can be eliminated in this way. Then again it Is a good thing to take stock now and then of the country’s wealth, and a show certainly supplies a fairly accurate inventory.