Future of Polled Cattle And Effect on Chilled Beef

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18581, 15 December 1934, Page 13

Future of Polled Cattle And Effect on Chilled Beef

AUSTRALIAN breeders are forecasting a l)Oom in polled cattle breeding, and developments in this connection are being closely followed. The development of the chilled beef trade has been responsible for a revival of interest in cattle in the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay districts, and several importations of polled cattle have been made lately. Australia showed much interest in Poverty Bay’s Polled Herefords last year and this year, and several were shipped across the Tasman.

Of the development of the polled breeds, a writer in the Australasian states:—

‘‘The recent importations of Polled Shorthorns by Mr. I). G, Mimro, of Gundebri, Kerri wa (N.S.W.), have done much towards focussing attention on tin' advantages of polled beef herds, and it is known that two famous stud Shorthorn breeders (one in Now South Wales and one in Victoria) are seriously contemplating the introduction of polled blood from overseas into their studs.

“Hereford men, too, are watching developments very closely, and' it is known that, one or two breeders are already using polled bulls in their herds, which they have introduced recently f rom polled Hereford studs that have been established in Queensland and in the northern districts of New South Wales for some considerable time.

“Shrewd cattlemen are forecasting a boom in .polled cattle breeding, and it is generally believed that within the very near future stud men will bo turning their attention to the breed in large numbers. Stud breeders are I Ht present in a quandary regarding the position that will arise when they use no I led bulls on their registered horned herds. Decisions will have to be made by the respective cattle societies as to whether the progeny of such matings will be accepted for registration. It is known that this matter will be discussed at the next annual meeting ,of the Hereford Society to ’be held in Sydney at Easter. “Cattlemen generally believed that horned herds for beef breeding will gradually be eliminated, though this may take many years completely to accomplish. The advantages of .polled cattle for beef breeding are so obviousthat nothing can prevent their world conquest. Apart from the fact that at least one extra beast can be accommodated in the cattle truck to market (a consideration of up .to 10 per cent, saving in freight), the con-; signment of polled cattle arrives at 1 the abattoirs less knocked about and less heated.

“Moreover, it is claimed, with abundant evidence to support, the contention, that polled cattle, having less, cause for fear than horned beasts,; graze more contentedly, and, therefore, fatten more quickly. j “As the use ojf .prepotent polled, bulls will result in the jproduetion .of; up to 75 .per 'cent, of polled .prageuy! ■from horned females, the practicability; .of converting homed herds-into pollndi herds could be achieved within a few generations of breeding. Meanwhile, the stud herd societies will have to decide whether they prill accept polled type in their herd books or whether they .will compel the supporters of polied cattle to form their own societies, in which they would.pro.bably accept horned herds ponding the 1 elimination of horns.”