Stud Cattle Breeders' Page.

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 15

Stud Cattle Breeders' Page.

NEW ZEALAND JERSEYS to avohTerrors

PRODUCING BEEF CATTLE.

CROSS-BREEDING IS DISTINCT FROM “MONGRELISM”

At the present time cross-breeding in cattle seems to have become a high form of art and the specimens of such raising nowadays such a great feature at all the great fat stock shows are the product of the most scientific methods of breeding, writes T. B. Goucher in an English agricultural paper. Why, it may be asked, has crossbreeding become so popular? The answer is because it is more easy to produce those particular qualities that are so much in demand in the commercial animal by means of crossing two pure breeds than it is to produce them in the purebred animal. One breed usually possesses certain characteristics that another does not, and feeders and butchers require certain qualities which perhaps are wanting or are not fully developed in some of the pure breeds, so that cross-breding is resorted to in order to attain such desired qualities. Those who breed for beef are giving particular attention nowadays to the art of cross-breeding which is extending its influence in all directions and is becoming a highly popular form of commercial cattle breeding. It should, however, always be borne in mind that pedigree must form the basis of successful cross-breeding. Unless it docs, the system cannot be called crossbreding, but is simply “mongrelism”, which must distinctly be avoided if we are to keep on the path of improvement and development in our commercial stock. The fine specimens of cross-breeding seen at fat stock shows are without exception the produce of pedigree sires and, in the case of first crosses, of pedigree dams as well, whereas in the second and third crosses the sire is purebred and the dam’s sire is purebred, although a crossbred herself.

Anything in the nature of “inongrelising” must be avoided and an animal that has more than three crosses cannot be called other than a mongrel bred one. Why systematic cross-breeding is productive of such good results is not difficult to understand because in pedigree breeding and particularly in breeds that are somewhat closely bred an outcross, by which is meant the use of a sire of the same breed but of a totally different line of blood to the rest of the herd, often brings out good qualities that have been lying dormant and which need an infusion of fresh blood to bring them to life again. Thus it happens that in crossing two pure breeds the best qualities in both are brought out in the progeny, provided of course that the parents on both sides have merit. The crossing of two unsatisfactory animals, pure bred though they be, cannot be expected to produce satisfactory results. For some years the crossbred classes have produced more entries than any others at the fat stock shows and the numbers continue, to increase, which proves that the principle of cross breeding is extending. Breeders of pedigree beef cattle of the more popular breeds have a steady and increasing demand for bulls and heifers for crossing purposes. The best sires may be sold for export or for heading high-class herds at home, but the next grades are mostly in demand for crossing for commercial purposes. Perhaps some small defect in colour or some fancy point is sufficient to spoil their market for export or as herd headers but slight defects of this kind are of no account in cross-breeding provided the main points are well developed. Quite a useful trade is done by some breeders in producing crossbreds for exhibition purposes and purebred dams of one breed are as essential as the purebred sire of the other, so that it is advisable to obtain pedigree females for the purpose as the initial outlay will be amply repaid in the end.

For instance, if it is desired to produce the popular blue-grey it is advisable to use a purebred white Shorthorn bull on pedigree Galloway or Aberdeen-Angus females. This produces the first cross. Then the heifers that are the produce of this cross may be mated to a purebred AberdeenAngus bull. The progeny is then a second cross. If the heifers of the second cross are then mated to a pedigree sire of. any breed, Shorthorn, Angus, or whatever it may be, then the progeny constitutes the third > cross. Beyond this good results cannot be relied upon. NEW ZEALAND JERSEYS. I HIGH PRICES COMMANDED. AUSTRALIANS ENVIOUS. How can high prices be given in New Zealand for desired stud stock, and why are not similar prices got in Australia? I pointedly asks The Jersey in Australia. The question Is (it goes on to state) important to the Commonwealth, for, under | the impulse of high-stock prices, great cn- . couragement would be given to studmasters to import or to breed for an appreciative market. The short answer to the question appears to be that the dairy industry is not as wealthy in Australia as it is in New Zealand. In both countries the stock, in the end, has to be bought out of the cash returns from the industry. It can hardly be affirmed that the .dairy industry is less important in the Commonwealth than in the Dominion; we have it on authority, for example, that the per capita consumption of butter in N.S.W. is higher than in any other part of the world; and dairy products bulk not inconsiderably in Australia’s exports. Admittedly New Zealand’s

dairy produce brings a higher price, in overseas markets than does Australia. While this has a bearing upon the prosperity of the industry, it is not the whole story. We believe the greater prosperity in the Dominion is really due to the greater return gleaned per cow and per acre. Greater production in this way means a lowered cost of production, that is, lower "overhead expense” per cent., with a resulting increased net income to each individual and to the industry as a whole. , Well-qualified representatives of Australian Dairy Council, who have recently reported that personal observations in visiting practically all the dairying districts between Wellington and Auckland, paint an exhilarating picture of the dairy wealth now being garnered from soils which originally w'ere greatly inferior in natural fertility to the scrub lands of Australia’s east coast. Top-dressing with phosphatic manures and scientific management of pastures tersely describes the method which

has worked a wonderful change. Extensive quotation from this vastly informing report is not called for here. It is sufficient for our present purpose to mention the case of a North Auckland dairy-farmer who, on a 60-acre paspalum farm, “last season produced 20,0001 b butter from 60 cows.” There is much other authority to be found in support of these Australian observers as to the general causes at the back of the greater wealth in the hands of New Zealand’s dairy husbandmen. Our point is that this happy condition of the dairy industry accounts for prices for pedigree stock which, so far as the Australian breeder’s chance of receiving (or paying) them goes, seem at present as remote as. Kam- I chatka. . j

NEW SHEEP BREED.

EVOLVED BY NORTH ISLAND

FARMER.

A new breed of sheep, which is claimed to have very useful qualities, has been evolved by Mr R. E. Beattie, a Woodville (North Island) farmer. It has been given the name of Reform. It was originally bred from registered Lincoln ewes and Ryeland rams, and then bred up on similar lines to that by which the now well-known Corriedale has been established. After several years of careful selection and breeding the Reform sheep, it is claimed, have now become established into compact animals, well covered with dense, fine wool of uniform character. They are ot dual purpose characteristics and are early maturing. Their wool at the sales last year realized 22 id, and the ewe hoggets averaged 1211 b. It is claimed that their lambs outweigh those of many other breeds or sheep, age for age. Mr Beattie says that it has been found that lambs by Reform rams from ordinary flock ewes, and not sold as fats, become profitable sheep to hold. The original cross (Lincoln-Ryeland), is interesting in view of the fact that the Ryeland was crossed with the merinos imported to England by King George in the 18th century from Spain. However, the cross was not a success. The Ryeland is one of the oldest breeds in England, and it has probably come down to us without any merino influence. The name of the new breed will give it a kindly reception, but a fairly long period of years is necessary before the claim can be made that a new breed is definitely “established.”'

TO AVOID ERRORS.

IDENTITY OF PEDIGREE STOCK.

EXCELLENT SYSTEM DEVISED.

If you are a breeder of pedigree cattle vou will be interested in this article, which tells of a splendid system devised by Mr John I. Royds, of Christchurch, to ensure that a breeder can identify his cattle without the possibility of error.

The inability of a stud breeder to identify with absolute certainty his pedigree cattle may well result in the loss to him of thousands of pounds and, what is equally important, his prestige as a breeder. Sweeping as this statement may sound, it is nevertheless true, and instance after instance could be cited of the disastrous effects of mistakes in identity which have occurred in New Zealand. Let one instance suffice in this article. A well-known North Island breeder during his absence on active service overseas left his stud farm in the care of a manager. On his return he discovered to his dismay that through inefficiency or carelessness his manager had kept no proper records of the animals that had been born. The consequence was that none of the animals could be identified with any degree of accuracy and the whole of the magnificent herd had to be sold as if they were crossbred cattle, although nothing but the purest of the breed came from the farm in question. Inability to identify the cattle cost the breeder thousands of pounds, for instead of the animals realizing 150 guineas each they brought £l5 to £2O.

j Stud breeders must take even' possible precaution to avoid errors, for it is not difficult to imagine the disappointment and dismay of a man who is going in for line breeding when he discovers that through a mistake, in all probability a perfectly innocent one, on the part of the vendor the wrong beast has been delivered to him. Can a system be devised which will make, errors in identification impossible? Fortunately the answer is “Yes,” for Mr John I. Royds, of Fendalton, Christchurch, who is president of the Canterbury branch of the Friesian Breeders’ Association, has been for some time employing a system to which that often misused term “perfect” can well be applied. Mr Royds was in Invercargill during the week and at the request of a Southland Times reporter he willingly agreed to explain his system so that breeders throughout Southland, and throughout New Zealand for that, matter, could adopt it if they considered it helpful. It would first be as well to state that the system applies chiefly to -such breeds as Friesians or Ayrshires, for it depends largely on the markings of the different beasts. System Explained. As soon as a calf is born on Mr Royds’s stud farm his manager has to fill in on a record card its exact markings. This card contains the bare outline of a calf imprinted by means of a rubber stamp. The calf’s markings are mapped on it before the little animal is removed from its mother’s side to the calf pen, so that there can be no chance of confusion here. This card is really the first step in the perfection of the system.

The next step takes place after ail the animals have been photographed for registration purposes. As breeders of pedigree stock are aware photographs of all the animals have to be sent to headquarters by March 31 each year. On Mr Royds’s farm these photographs are checked minutely with each card. Then comes the final recording process in the system. For this the following articles are required: (a) Wellbound pocket note-book which is alphabetically indexed (this can be done by the breeder if necessary); (b) a rubber stamp which will give the outline of a calf; (c) a mapping pen. The rubber stamp does not need to be larger than about two inches by one and a half. Thus a dozen or, more imprints can be made on a page of the note-book. Mr Royds used the left-hand side pages for the outlines and on the opposite page particulars of each animal were written.

From the photographs taken for registration purposes (which it will be recollected were carefully checked with the maps of the newly-born calves) the markings of the individual animals were carefully traced with the mapping pen on the outline in the left-hand page of the note-book and the name of the animal written underneath. On the page opposite the following particulars would be found in columns ruled off for the purpose: (1) Name of animal; (2) sire; (3) dam; (4) date of birth; (5) dates of service.

Thus in the note-book was contained a complete record of every beast in the herd and the owner had merely to walk among them with note book open to identify any animal he wished to, and this without a chance of making a mistake, so carefully were the individual markings recorded. To the reporter to whom the system was explainer! it seemed at first that some of the pictures of the animals were so similar as to make identification difficult, but Mr Royds very soon dispelled this idea. He was instantly able to point out that in one case the black marking extended well down the leg, in the other it ceased near the shoulder, and so on. The reporter was quite convinced that the system was admirable in every way and it will be sur-, prising if it is not adopted by all who breed pedigree Friesians and Ayrshires.

“ALFALFA” JERSEY SALE.

Special attention is drawn in connection with the important Jersey sale on account of Mr F. J. Saxby, Hamilton, Waikato, to the special freight concession he is prepared to make to buyers from long distances. Hit is endeavouring to place all buyers on a level footing, and, in order to do this, he has undertaken to pay half freight on five or more lots purchased by breeders residing over 150 miles from Hamilton. It does not necessarily mean that one purchaser must buy five head—breeders in a district can club together and buy between them a consignment of five or more cattle and receive a concession of half freight. This is a very generous offer and one which Southland breeders should take advantage of. For the convenience also of those unable to attend, special arrangements may be made for the auctioneers, Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., to make selections, or to buy for clients as they may instruct. Some remarkable instances of the success of buying on commission at Alfalfa have been experienced. One breeder, who was unable to attend the sale, commissioned the auctioneers to buy for him at two sales. The first purchase, was in 1927 of three heifers, and two at the 1928 sale. This man now has thirteen pedigrees including three direct, daughters of the famous sire, Waipiko Masterpiece, two direct sons and one grandson which stand him at an average cost of 16} guineas. Breeders wishing to secure high class cattle should write for the illustrated catalogue for this great sale. ABERDEEN-ANGUS. To the query, “Do Aberdeen-Angus cattle thrive in hot countries,” a very emphatic answer in the affirmative can be given, says the Live Stock Journal, and can be backed up by ample results of practical experience. To quote the available experience at any length would require too much space, but. rather than express any general opinion it is considered of more practical value to quote concrete facts and personal experiences.

But first it is of interest to make brief reference, by way of contrast, to the remarkable success of the breed in the colder climates.

The manager of a ranch in Montana writes of his Aberdeen-Angus which “go down to the Old Missouri and get a drink of water from a hole cut through about 40in. of ice at 50 below zero and grow fat. I never saw cattle winter better.” Writes another authority: “In America, where we find the breed thriving, and not only thriving, but beating all comers from northern areas with a temperature as low as 56deg. below zero to the southern areas around the Gulf of Mexico.”

As to the experience with Aberdeen-Angus in warm countries, we subjoin a few of the many extracts which could be quoted as giving the results of practical knowledge of the breed under above conditions:—

From British Guiana a correspondent writes: “We want to * improve our own stock, and favour the. Aberdeen-Angus be-

cause they have been tried here and found admirably suited to the conditions.” In Hawaii, Aberdeen-Angus are taking a prominent place, and -of late considerable importations have been made from the United States, while the number of purebred herds in the Islands is greatly increasing. On the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales to South America he visited Liebig’s establishment at Colon, the headquarters of the Company in Argentina, and a special correspondent dealing with the

visit remarked: “Colon is the home of the splendid pedigree herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle‘which serves to provide really good breed type of sires to improve the beef yield of the large numbers" of plainer native cattle that still exist on some of the company’s properties in the warmer zones where existence demands the best constitution, which the Aberdeen-Angus are acknowledged to possess, hence their favour with Liebig’s.” “Experience has proved that the Aber-deen-Angus are the hardiest of any of the

breed, and they have proved their adaptability for giving satisfactory results under the trying conditions of a warm climate better than any other beef breed, and nowadays have many supporters in'the Northern Zones of Argentina, where the Aber-deen-Angus thrive when others give up their hides.”