A PROMINENT STUD

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 14

A PROMINENT STUD

high class bulls at FOREST VALE

“Now that we have a guaranteed price it behoves dairy farmers to have nothing but the best producers and it is easier to milk a good cow than a poor one,” writes a correspondent. “One of the principal features in dairying is to procure a good herd sire and this can only be accomplished by buying from the right source. Sires whose dams have been tested and have a long ancestry of noted breadwinners for their respective owners. The Jerseys have proved themselves a useful breed under the severest conditions and at the present time are contributing heavily to the dairy productions of this province. “A stud that has been gradually attaining prominence in Southland is that of Mr A. McFadyen at ‘Forest Vale’ Kamahi, a herd, which like many of the best in Southland has its origin from the ‘Tokorangi’ Stud of Mr N. Moore, Tapanui. The Forest Vale stud has a very creditable record book in respect of production and breeding as the heard-testing record list and prize lists of Southland Shows demonstrate. “The stud was started many years ago and Mr McFadyen has gradually culled and worked up a splendid herd only buying from the best, and the ‘Tokorangi’ stud has been frequently called on to fill the commission. One of the most recent purchases is the bull ‘Tokorangi Snowfall’ by Volunteers Vagabond—Tokorangi Snowdrop. Tokorangi Snowdrop has a C.O.R. of 659.56 lb. b.f. at 4yrs 337 days as well as being classed an H.E. cow for New Zealand. Her sire Oaklands Clarion has won many laurels for the Tokorangi stud and comment is unnecessary regarding his stock as producers and show winners. Volunteer Vagabond, a bull bred by Mr E. Griffiths, New Plymouth, has the noted Vagabond of Oakland (imp.) for his sire and his dam Volunteers Queen Bess also boasts the same line of blood. Volunteer Vagabond’s heifers are now milking in Mr Moore’s herd and there is no question of doubt he is leaving stock worthy of his position as senior herd sire. In purchasing Tokorangi Snowfall, Mr McFadyen is indeed adding a great acquisition to his herd. “Another sire recently imported into Southland is Barton Chief purchased by Mr S. Hargest of Charlton also from the Tokorangi stud. Barton Chief is another son of Vagabond of Oaklands and has for his dam Sybils Beautiful Fem with a C.O.R 328 lb. b.f.-in 305 days at 22yrs. Vagabond’s breeding recalls those great sires Noble of Oaklands, Golden Ferns Noble, Xenias Sultan and others whose dams have won champion honours on Jersey Island. “Sybil’s Beautiful Fern is from the herd of Mr G. Bell, Pinewoods, Bell Block. This is one of the leading herds in the North Island. Mr Bell has the distinction of judging the Jersey section at the Royal Show held in Invercargill and is also one of the classifiers of Jerseys in New Zealand. Stock bred from the above sires should bring fame to the history of Jerseys in Southland,” he concludes.