STOCK IMPROVEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 21715, 30 May 1932, Page 4

STOCK IMPROVEMENT

REGISTRATION OF STUD ANIMALS. CANTERBURY SCHEME. A proposal for the general improvement of stud stock and, the registration of stud animals was contained in a letter from the Canterbury A. and P. Association which was read at Saturday’s meeting of the Gore Association. In outlining the scheme in question Mr M. E. Lyons, secretary of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, wrote stating that some months ago his association had addressed a lengthy letter to the Gore association and kindred bodies throughout the Dominion relative to stock improvement and more particularly in relation to sires used. A gratifying response was received from the associations addressed and fully 90 per cent, of the A. and P. associations favoured some scheme being given statutory authority for the elimination of male animals which were not fit for use as sires. The various breed societies were unanimous in regard to the necessity for a scheme backed by legislative authority. “The unanimity with which the suggestion was received has encouraged the association to proceed in the matter and a sub-committee was set up to draft a scheme,” continued the letter, “Some months have been spent in gathering information as to what has been accomplished in older countries and this has been specially valuable as demonstrating the drastic nature of the legislation passed by the House of Commons and the two Parliaments of Ireland in regard to cattle. Some of the Australian States have also enacted legislation designed to improve dairy cattle breeding. The British schemes are more helpful and more easily adapted to conditions in this Dominion by reason of the fact that they are more independent, more easily controlled by stock owners and free of the necessity of adding to the employees of the State. The sub-committee is definitely of opinion that a scheme must be controlled by stock owners. In view of this the following scheme, which it is believed will accomplish the object, is put before your association for consideration and criticism. This association desires that kindred bodies will criticize it and state where they think it may be improved. “The following is put forward as a suitable scheme for adoption:— “Legislation to be promoted making it compulsory that all bulls, rams and boars, bear an inspection brand of approval before being offered for public or private sale or service. “Provision to be made to extend the operation of the act to all male animals used for stud purposes after say three years. “The stock owners of each provincial district to elect a committee following the provincial districts of the Meat and Dairy Boards, such committee to ‘be the administrative authority for that district. “A central body to be elected from the various district organizations which would draw up uniform regulations and this body would see that the Act was properly administered. This board could be strengthened by the inclusion on it of nominees of the Meat and Dairy Boards, the Department of Agriculture and the Departure of Scientific and Industrial Research. “The only officers necessary would be a secretary to each district committee and one or more inspectors. The finance is secured in overseas schemes by the registration fees.

“Procedure:—On a specified date after the inception of the scheme stock owners would be notified by advertisement by the district committee that all male animals under two years offered for sale or service must be passed by their inspector and bear the brand decided on and that all animals failing to pass must be killed or unsexed. The onus of applying for registration to rest with stock owners,” the letter continues. “In the case of bulls, application forms must give breed, full description, date of birth and certified milk record, if any. In the case of sheep and pigs the application form must state breed and age and numbers. The inspector can arrange to inspect bulls on the farm or at a centre, mark the forms with any further note of description and whether passed or rejected. If the bull is passed he is branded and a certificate issued from the central office.

“Sheep and pigs could be dealt with in a similar manner, except that in case of pigs inspection should be made before the animal is six months old. Tlie inspector’s report states number passed and number rejected, the notice served on the breeder to be returned as in the case of bulls. Provision would have to be made to deal with appeals; these would probably be numerous at first, but as in other countries would eventually be very few. One brand for approved stock would be selected for the Dominion and this brand could only be used by authorized inspectors. Enforcement of regulations would be easy since as the responsibility of rejected stock rests with the owner and the penalty would be heavy, no owner or purchaser would run the risk of a heavy fine. Stock inspectors in course of their rounds will be asked to note the presence of rejected stock so that we already have machinery for enforcing the Act. Rams can be inspected any time between weaning and sales according to arrangement, with a proviso that rams inspected, say, in June, may be subject to reinspection. While inspection at ram fairs would make matters easy, the whole purpose of the scheme would be defeated as breeders would only offer their best and the culls would be kept and distributed privately and so make matters very difficult; whereas if inspection is done on the breeder’s place he is put to no extra expense, has his culls at home and is secured against uncertainty and doubt when he offers his rams for sale. The scheme would work much more smoothly if this practice were adopted, as breeders would be protected from ridicule and guaranteed that privacy which is in many ways desirable.” The letter added that the scheme was not intended to apply to female stud stock, and concluded by quoting extensive figures which showed that the proposal had been a success ih Ireland.

.1 The chairman (Mr Hugh Smith) remarked that sooner or later New Zealand would have to act upon the lines suggested in the letter, but it was for the members present to consider whether or not the time was opportune to take such a drastic step. Mr T. Logan said that for some time stud stock had been inspected both in England and in Australia. He moved that they support the registration of all male stud animals in New Zealand.. ■ This was seconded by Mr A. Brock. Mr C. , Tripp said he doubted if the scheme would work out successfully when applied to sheep. Many farmers only wanted rams for breeding fat sheep and although the animals might not be much good, they were quite all right for general farm purposes. Mr Henry Smith moved an amendment that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs T. Logan, D. Dickie, J. Edwards, C. Tripp and W. G. Ladbrook be set up to go into the matter further. This was seconded by Mr W. G. Mackay and carried.