IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY

Southland Times, Issue 23998, 13 December 1939, Page 11

IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY

SOUTHLAND’S JERSEY CATTLE RAPID PROGRESS MADE BY BREEDERS The rapid progress made in recent years by Jersey 'cattle breeders in Southland and the improved quality of the Jersey cattle exhibited at this year’s Centennial Royal Show compared with the entries of this breed at the 1929 Royal Show in Invercargill, were emphasized last night by speakers at a social function at the show grounds organized by the Southland Jersey Breeders’ Cattle Club. The president of the Southland Club (Mr E. McKenzie) presided over a gathering of about 70 breeders and others, the attendance including a large proportion of visitors from provinces outside Southland. Among those present were Mr C. G. C. Dermer, of Cheltenham, president of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association, Mr G. Dawick, of Palmerston North, secretary of the association, and Mr H. Moreland, a member of the council of the association. . In proposing a toast to northern visitors, Mr E. McKenzie said he was pleased to see such a representative attendance of visitors from Otago, Canterbury and the North Islarid. Mr F. E. Martin, of Rangiora, responded. He said this was the first Invercargill show at which he had entered stock, and in his opinion he had not visited a better show. The organization was very efficient and the catalogue enabled the visitors to follow the various sections with ease. .Unfortunately, Rangiora was too far distant to allow him to send stock down each year, but he could assure the Agricultural and Pastoral Association that when it was again allotted the Royal Show he would make a very sincere effort to send stock south. He paid a tribute to the hospitality that he had received in Invercargill. The toast of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association was. proposed by Mr N. Moore, of Tapanui, who referred to the beneficial work for which the association had been responsible.

BETTER STANDARD “It has been a pleasure to me to note the great improvement that has taken place in the quality of Jersey cattle in Southland,” said Mr Dermer, Dominion president, in replying to the toast. He had attended the 1929 and 1934 Royal Shows in Invercargill and there could be no doubt that the quality of the present animals was much improved compared with the standard in 1929. Southland was looked upon by some as one of the most backward districts in New Zealand as far as Jerseys were concerned, and he was delighted to see the progress that had been made. The association had been formed with one object only—to improve' the Jersey breed in New Zealand. During the years since the association was established the breeders had been well catered for by the council and today the association was one of the strongest breed societies in the southern hemisphere. Compared with the efforts of other breed societies, the Jersey Association had shown more initiative and Lad done better, work in the interests of the members than any other society. The association’s desire was to improve the production of the cattle and in this respect it had given encouragement by way of subsidies. In future the work of the association would be directed towards eliminating the poorer and lower grades of Jerseys cattle and improving the classification system so that every registered Jersey would possess a record. When they reached the stage where classification was universal they would have accomplished much of their work. It was always a pleasure for him to visit the Royal Show in Invercargill and he would continue his visits as long as he was able. “This is the third occasion that I have had the pleasure of visiting a Royal Show in Invercargill and once again I have been impressed by the hospitality. I look forward with pleasurable anticipation to my next visit,” said Mr Dawick, the secretary. At the 1934 show he had been pleased with the quality of the Jerseys exhibited, and this year’s display reflected great credit on the breeders. If the exhibitors continued to make the same progress he had no . doubt the Jersey would become the foremost breed in Southland. The fact that the Jersey section was the strongest cattle section at this year’s show was conclusive evidence of the rapid advance made. The association would watch with keen interest the progress of Jersey breeders in the province, and the council would give all possible assistance.

LOW ENTRY FEES Mr H. Moreland also replied to the toast of. the association, and said that as far as he could ascertain the entry fees charged by the association were the lowest of any breed society in the world. He paid a tribute to the foresight shown by the original council and those who followed. He was sure that if the Southland breeders made the same progress until the next Royal Show in Invercargill the parade of Jersey cattle would be outstanding in every respect.

“The judge carried out his duties in a most efficient manner,” said Mr John Hellyer, in proposing the toast of the judge (Mr J. A. Moreland). cattle I judged today,” said Mr Moreland, cattle I judged today said Mr Moreland. “The breeders in the North Island do not realize the growing popularity of the breed in the southern provinces. The quality was splendid and both the champion animals would, In my opinion, hold their own anywhere.” The toast of the Royal Society and the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association was proposed by Mr A. McFadyen. The peripatetic system of holding the Royal Shows was undoubtedly the most satisfactory, said Dr A. F. Ritchie Crawford in replying to the toast. It 'might be contended by some that it would be better to hold the show each year in, say, Wellington, but he thought the Royal Show should move round from one province to another. The breeders should have the opportunity of seeing the shows in their own districts. The peripatetic system should continue and he believed it would continue. The Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association took pride in what it did for exhibitors, and nowhere else in New Zealand would breeders receive better treatment than in Invercargill. The association’s policy was one of progress and it had done everything to ensure the success of the 1939 show Other toasts honoured were: Stewards (proposed by Mr R. Clark and responded to by Mr C. Bailey); the ladies (Mr F. Woodfield—Mrs J. Marshall): the Press (Mr D. Nicholson).