POLLED SHORTHORNS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3828, 2 November 1936, Page 8

POLLED SHORTHORNS

NORTH AND SOUTH ISLAND BREEDERS ACTIVE. Although the number of beef Shorthorn herds in New Zealand is limited, there is a keen local demand for Polled Shornhorns and a very considerable enquiry from Australia for cattle of this breed. There are two extensive Polled Shorthorn herds in New Zealand—one owned by Mr John Donald, of Westmere Wanganui, and the other by Mi’ Andrew Grant of Allandalc, Fairlie, South Canterbury. Both breeders have been active in importing from the United States of America. The first bull imported by Mr John Donald, Highland Stamp, was; one of the best proven bulls in America, and sired quite a number of outstanding champions. Mr Grant has just imported one of his best daughters, Loch Dale Gloster F„ which is undoubtedly one ot the best types ot the breed to be brought to New Zealand. She is a beautiful roan heifer, and should if shown win prizes in the best company in New Zealand. She is as equally well bred on the dam's side, being from the Duchess oi Gloster family. She is full of the best Polled Shorthorn blood in America, and as she was mated before being shipped from America to the most outstanding prize winning bull of the past season, Oakwood Emperor, should produce a very valuable calf for Mr Grant. Recently Mr Grant also added to his herd the imported Polled Shorthorn bull, Elm Grove Gondolier. This is the second sire he has imported from America for his herd.

At the same time there was imported for Mr John Donald the outstand lug prize winning bull, Oakwood Roy al Marquis. On the recommendation of Mr C. E. Robertson, who saw this outstanding bull when in America last year', negotiations have been carried on on behalf ot Mr Donald for some considerable time in an endeavour to purchase this bull, and event ually he was secured, but at a price which is the highest that has teen paid for a Polled Shorthorn bull for many years. He was an outstanding winner wherever shown last year in America, including the International Show. The three top sires behind this bull were all International grand champions and each sired a son to win a grand championship at the International Show. His dam, a famous prize winning red cow in Messrs Teegardin and Sons’ Oakwood herd, the ■outstanding Polled Shorthorn herd in North America, is a sister to Oak wood Missie G, another famous prize winner, while another close relative is Oakwood Missie E, junior champion at the International Show in 1932. Oakwood Royal Marquis is a beautiful roan in colotir, is low set with plenty of good quality bone and is a bull of great thickness and substance and considered to be the best liindquartered bull that has been exported from America. Mr F. W. Harding, the well known American Shorthorn judge, considers he is the best bull that has yet been exported from America, and as his sire, Oakwood Royal King, has sired more winners at the leading shows in America during the past three seasons than any other bull, it is con tended that Oakwood Royal Marquis should prove invaluable as a sire. Mr Donald was probably lucky to secure such a bull, as some months ago Mes srs Teegardin and Sons, the breeders of Oakwood Royal Marquis, were un fortunate enough to lose his sire. The importation of Polled Shorthorns of such outstanding American breeding should prove very advant ageous to the cattle breeders of the Dominion, as this breed is likely to come very much into favour in New Zealand in connection with the development ot the chilled beef trade. It is making tremendous progress in Australia, bull calves ot the breed having sold there at prices ranging from. 120 to 200 guineas.