STUD CATTLE BREEDERS’ PAGE

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 15

STUD CATTLE BREEDERS’ PAGE

PREPOTENCY OF THE FRIESIAN.

ORIGIN OF THE AYRSHIRE.

SHOW DATES. Dates of shows so far advised are as follows : Timaru Show—October 27, 28. Ashburton Show—November 4. Christchurch Show —November 11 and 12. Royal Show, Auckland —November 16, 17, 18. Oamaru—November 18, 19. Otago—November 24, 25. Winton—November 24. Otautau—December 1. Balclutha —December 2, 3. Gore—December 7, 8. Wyndham, December 10. Invercargill—December 14, 15. MEETINGS. v Southland Branch, Friesian. Association, 11 a.m., November 6. PREPOTENCY OF THE FRIESIAN. A SOUTHLAND EXAMPLE. TYPE AND PRODUCTION WELL BLENDED. The question of prepotency is of great practical moment to the breeder of live stock, because of the direct influence which it has upon improvement or the want of this, in the stud, Tierd or flock. Like many of the features of breeding it is only understood in part, but happily, enough is known regarding it to enable the skilled breeder to choose animals possessing it with a reasonable degree of certainty. Strictly speaking, prepotency is the “superior power” which one parent has over the other in determining the character of the offspring. When it is said that a breed is prepotent, it is meant that animals of that breed are all possessed of much power to transmit the characteristics of the breed. Prepotency in the individual is shown in the closeness of the resemblance in the progeny to the parent and to one another. In the following article we shall endeavour to put forward an example in practice of this “superior power” which has been responsible for the evolution of the highproducing cow within our own province, and while the accompanying illustrations may suffice to demonstrate this all important phase of stud cattle breeding, space forbids us to go fully into this question. Further, many more illustrations are available closely connected with this article in which we feature the famous “Oakwood Tops/’ strain, but again space does not permit, references to such absent portraits only can be made. The illustrations on this page instantly present a close similarity both of type and colour, closely conforming to original Dutch blood type chiefly being evidenced by squareness of body, strong heads, deep and well-sprung foieribs, short to medium legs, square, compact and capacious milk vessels with good display of blood veins thereon, and good body milk veins. In colour a preponderance of black on body, and white hind legs. BREEDING. Although we are forced to differentiate between the Dutch bred Friesian and the later evolved American-bred Friesian as a matter of common custom, we should be correct in referring to them as Dutch and Dutch-American. “Oakwood Topsy,” the pure Dutch-bred matron-elect of the late Bainfield Stud, bred by Mr Gladstone Robinson of Canterbury from purchases made from the late Mr J. C. N. Greigg’s “Longbeach” Stud, is the centre of our attention in dealing with these illustrations, as all but one of the remainder are her descendants, three of which were bred in the late Bainfield Stud by Mr W. D. Hunt, to whom chiefly lies the credit for the breed’s success in this province.

Selecting “Oakwood Topsy” as a yearling, one is forced to record her most useful and influential life in the hands of this farseeing breeder at Bainfield. As a breeder, “Oakwood Topsy” has proven her weight in gold—as a producer also she ranks as one of the foremost in the breed, her record of 6931bs fat at the age of 9 years being done during the experimental stage of “Bainfield’s” testing operations and dropping a live calf six weeks after concluding her test. Up to the time that she was sold at the dispersal sale of the Bainfield Stud, she bred thirteen calves, as follows—1. Bull, Bainfield Captain, by Longbeach Major. 2. Bull, Bainfield Dutchman, by Longbeach Major. 3. Bull, Bainfield Prince, and 4. Heifer, Bainfield Topsy, twins by Longbeach Major. 5. Heifer, Bainfield No. 7, by Bainfield Dutchman. 6. Heifer, Bainfield No. 10, by Bainfield Prince. 7. Heifer, Bainfield No. 25, by Bainfield Prince. 8. Bull, Bainfield Mars, by Bainfield Prince. 9. Heifer, Bainfield Topsy Bth, by Bainfield Model. 10. Heifer, Bainfield Topsy 13th, by Rosevale King Sylvia. 11. Heifer, Bainfield Sylvia Topsy 4th, by Rosevale King Sylvia. 12. Heifer, Bainfield Neth Sylvia Topsy, by Neth Pietertje of Bainfield. 13. Heifer, Bainfield Neth Sylvia Topsy 2nd, by Neth Pietertje of Bainfield. Her powers of prepotency are exemplified by the high records made by those of her daughters that have been tested and by the number of high-producing females that have been sired by her sons. Her 2nd calf, Bainfield Dutchman, besides being the sire of our No. 3 illustration (9101bs fat as a 4-year-old) is the sire of 12 semi-officially tested daughters averaging 5461bs fat at an average age of 3 years. Her third calf, Bainfield Prince, is the sire of 6 C.O.R. daughters averaging 5001bs fat all as 2-year and 3-year-olds. Her 4th calf (twin), Bainfield Topsy, produced 5431bs fat as a 3-year-old. Her Bth’ calf, Bainfield Mars, is the sire of Hillside Mooie Blanco, as a 2-year-old, produced 5601bs fat. Her 10th calf, Bainfield Topsy 13th, produced 6411bs fat as a 2-year-old. Her 11th calf, Bainfield Sylvia Topsy 4th, has just completed a worthy record of 8041bs fat in 364 days as a 3-year-old. The beneficial influence which even one animal may have in a stud can easily be conceived, especially if that animal possess longevity and prove a prolific breeder. “Oakwood Topsy’s” influence in the Bainfield Stud extended to many generations and her grand and great-grand-daughters would be difficult to enumerate. It is well-known however that prepotency has been carried on, and as an instance we might mention one of her granddaughters, Bainfield Topsy 10th, which produced 8631bs fat as a 4-year-old since she was domiciled in the North Island. REFERENCE TO ILLUSTRATIONS. No. 1, “OAKWOOD TOPSY,” now 17 years old. Grand-dam of Nos. 3,4, 5. Bought by Mr Greigg, “Longbeach,” at the Bainfield dispersal sale at the age of 15 years for 150 gns. No. 2, “OAKWOOD DAISY ‘BELLE’* (9141bs fat), related to No. 1 by the blood of “Alfonso”; dam of No. 3; half-sister to No. 6; related on both sides to No. 5; related to No. 4 on sire’s side. No. 3, ‘“BAINFIELD 27” (9101bs fat as 4ryear-old). Daughter of No. 2; grand-

daugWer of No. 1; half-sister to No. 4; halfsister to No. 5; related on both siues io No. 6. No. 4, “BAINFIELD 11” (7861bs fat 2nd class record). Grand-daughter of No. 1; related to No. 2 on dam’s side; half-sister to No. 3; half-sister to No. 5. No. 5, “BAINFIELD 16” (7281bs fat at 4 years). Grand-daughter of No. 1; related to No. 2 on both sides; half-sister to No. 3; half-sister to No. 4; related to No. 6 on paternal side.’

No. 6, “OAKWOOD BETTY” (8101bs fat at 5 years). Half-sister to No. 2; related on both sides to No. 3; related to No. 5 on maternal side. From these references it will be seen that all are closely related, Oakwood Topsy— Longbeach Major blood predominating. It would be necessary however to draw attention to the influence, of the Dutch-American blood also, as a strong infusion is found in the pedigrees of all but No. 1. This is the blood of the best record daughter bull of the breed in New Zealand, namely, King Segis Wild Rose Homestead (imp.). We have reason to believe this bull to have

been an exceptionally prepotent animal —he has 19 C..0.R. daughters in the breed’s name to his credit, so that the combination of prepotent Dutch-American and prepotent pure Dutch blood has blended well. Each and every one of these animals as illustrated have bred on—Bainfield 27’s 2-year-old daughter, Ohio Sensation, recently completed a good record of 4601bs fat; Oakwood Betty has two C.O.R. daughters with records of 3911bs fat as a 3-year-old and 4911bs fat as a 2-year-old respectively, and grand-daugh-ters too numerous to mention. In the hands of efficient breeders, such specimens as

these portraits represent cannot fail to raise the status of the breed in Southland as the inherent vigour of type is to be traced back for many generations of pure breeding. Founded in the first place on specially imported blood from Holland and America, these animals are the normal result of selective breeding and good feeding. Their progeny, operating in the various studs and herds within the province, may reasonably be expected to transmit the virtues necessary for high production. These represent a type in which can be found the attributes of the ideal dairy cow, constitution, heavy production, prolific and prepotent breeding power and docile temperament.

ORIGIN- OF THE AYRSHIRE. THE “ECONOMICAL" DAIRY COW. The native home of this breed is the shi?e or county of Ayr in South-west Scotland, and, while its origin is veiled in some obscurity, it may safely be classed as a comparatively new breed which has made wonderful advi'n ’.ement in a short time. According to one Huihority the cattle of Ayrshire were described in 1750 as being small

t and ill-fed and producing but little milk a while in colour they were black and white. 1 The colour marking of this foundation stock led historians to assume that they t were descended from, or kin to, the original - wild white cattle of Europe described in t early historic records and represented lat- - terly by the wild park cattle. a During the latter half of the eighteenth a century a widespread movement for better e cattle spread over Great Britain, and ref suited in an immense improvement being g made in the cattle of Ayrshire as elsewhere, e This improvement was brought about by e more careful selection and breeding and

e especially by the introduction of blood from e several other regions. f According to Howard, writing in 1863, t cattle imported from Scotland furnished h one of the most important crosses made, d while another cross was made of the Durd ham and Teeswater breed, which afterwards d in the improved form became known as y the Shorthorns. It is reasonably certain, •f according to Howard, that G’hannel Island s blood was also introduced quite generously i- and it is also probable that Holderness s blood was introduced to some extent at s an early date.

Professor Low, the eminent English authority, makes the following statement: — “From all evidence which, in the absence of authentic documents, the case admits of, the dairy breed of Ayrshire cows owes its character to a mixture of the blood of the races of the Continent and of the dairy breed of Alderney.” In Ayrshire some attention has always been given to the beef-making capacity of the breed, especially in the early period of their development; and during the early part of the nineteenth century, the hindquarters especially were improved and the udder brought to its present symmetrical proportions. They are the leading dairy

cattle in Scotland to-day and are common in parts of England—in fact this is one of the few British breeds that has spread to any extent on the Continent of Europe and are now quite numerous in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Their present popularity in this country does not need stressing, while they are also to be found numerously in all parts of Canada and the United States of America where they are considered one of the most important present day breeds of the specialpurpose dairy cattle. Having been, developed in an environment which demanded that ruggedness of constitution, the Ayrshire has inherited the characteristic of hardiness which enables it to thrive in the coldest climes, so that its importation and distribution into the coldest parts of America as early as 1822 was quite merited. Ayrshires were also taken to Canada in the early part of the nineteenth century by Scotch settlers and subsequently the importation Canada has been very extensive, f The importations into America continued at intervals for twenty or thirty years, then gradually ceased on account of the serious ! objection raised to the short teats of the imported animals. The Ayrshires now , known as the American type are descended from these early importations and their improved descendants. The importations into Canada have also been numerous of recent years so that the Canadian animals are largely of the type now called the Scotch type. This type is now the most popular among the American breeders also. The Ayrshires have never been boomed or even well advertised in the United States of America and their increase in popularity has been entirely on their merits. FORM AND CHARACTERISTICS. In America the size of the Ayrshire ranks between the Jersey and Friesian breeds, the average cow weighing about l,ooolbs at maturity, while some exceed this figure | considerably; the bulls range from 1,400 1 to 2,0001b5. The Scottish type is probably rather under these figures. The common colour is spotted red or brown and white in varying proportions. In the American type the red and brown--1 ish red usually predominates, with only a small amount of white, while in the Scotch type the white predominates. In disposition they stand rather between the Jersey and the Friesian,, and like them, are less affected by unusual surroundings than some other breeds. In form the Ayrshire shows the extreme angular dairy type and at the same time the barrel is large, showing great capacity and the udder develi opment the most perfect of any breed. For many years the Scotch breeders have bred especially for large, symmetrical udders, and have attained this end with remarkable success. The udder is attached high behind, and extends far forward with a flat, even lower surface. The teats are placed regularly on the udder and are of uniform size. Ayrshires are regular and sure breeders which is the result of the favourable conditions under which the breed has been developed and from the avoidance of inbreeding. The Ayrshire is not as early maturing as the Jersey, ranking with the Friesian in this respeqt, the females coming into milk from 24 to 30 months of age. They are noted for being productive to a greater age than most breeds. DAIRY CHARACTERISTICS. As a breed the Ayrshires are noted for a good uniform production of milk rather than for remarkable records. Nevertheless a perusal of the present day production records of Ayrshires that have been put to the test prove that in point of size the Ayrshire has produced proportionally greater yields than other dairy breeds. Also the persistency of the breed’s successes in the milking trials in England and elsewhere have demonstrated that high production is an inherent virtue of this bonnie Scottish breed. And its popularity is increasing rapidly, due no doubt to the present-day needs of production at cheapest cost. Ayrshire milk is well adapted for cheese making or for marketing in its natural state on account of the small fat globules and relatively high per cent of Casein. Latest statistics in this country show an ascendency into popular fancy in that between the years 1921 and 19’24 the total number of Ayrshires has almost doubled. The recent high record, made by an American Ayrshire, of 1,0031b5. fat merits the admiration of all Ayrshire enthusiasts and should give an impetus to breeders throughout New Zealand to more thoroughly “test out” the breed’s latent production powers. HOLLIES FARM SHORTHORNS. RECORDS COMPLETED. “MAUD” MAKES 6431bs FAT. In our issue of August 7 we had pleasure in referring to the team of milking Shorthorns which wore then well on the way. to completing 365-day records in the Hollies Farm Stud, Bay Road, Invercargill. As predicted, “Sunnyside Proud Princess” has all but reached the 5001 b mark, her completed test showing 12,2271bs milk, 495.901bs fat tn 365 days. Her average* test was 4.0 per cent. “Dominion Jealousy of Ruakura” has completed a 285-day test with 8.9321bs milk, 354.421bs fat, her average test also being over 4 per cent. Last, but not least, is “Hollies Maud IL,” a beautiful typed cow, whose portrait we have already featured in these columns. Although her high aggregate of 643.51bs fat with 13.7691bs milk cannot be called a semi-official record, it was nevertheless recorded each month along with her stablemates who were actually under semi-official test. Her milk weights and samples were taken along with them and the treatment which she received varied not one iota from that meted out to the whole team, or the whole milking members of the stud, for that matter. These meritorious records were made on twice a day milking under normal herd conditions, which speaks volumes for the class of stock being developed in the “Hollies Farm Stud.” Mr Bateman is to be congratulated, and these records are, we believe, only forerunners of many higher ones in this stud. His recent purchases from the “Victoria Park” Stud, recently dispersed privately by Mr R. A. Anderson to Mr James Bateman, included some very promising young females which will surely develop into first-rate producers in the hands of their new owner. Some of these, we understand, are for sale. BREEDER’S PAR. The ‘Hollies Farm” Shorthorn breeder, Mr. J. Bateman reports the sale of another yearling butterfat bull to Mr. Stewart of Wharepa, at a satisfactory figure.