JERSEY CATTLE CLUBS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1923, Page 8

JERSEY CATTLE CLUBS.

CONFERENCE AT STRATFORD. IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED A conference of members of the various Jersey cattle clubs throughout Taranaki was held at the Egmont Club, Stratford, on Saturday, the New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, Hawera and Kaponga clubs being represented. An apology for absence was received from Mr. R. J. Linn, president of the Hawera club. Mr. F. Ranford (presi dent of the Stratford Jersey Club) was appointed to the chair. In opening the conference, Mr. Ranford extended a welcome to al] visiting representatives, and expressed the hope that the conference would be made an annual one. He was -pleased to see that the Jersey cattle had greatly increased in Taranaki. It was not long sine* there were only three branches of what was then an association. Now they had numerous branches and there would soon be more. He hoped the conference would have a useful discussion on the various subjects that would come up for consideration, and they could then refer them back to the separate clubs. Taranaki was now known as the home of the Jersey, continued Mr. Ranford. The Jersey had come to a place of no inconsiderable importance, and was for excellence the economical producer. In size and breed type she had a big advantage over other breeds on the light soil of Taranaki. To some breeds size was essential, and once they introduced the big types on to. the light soil those types would lose size. This had been exemplified in the Shorthorn breed. Size was an essential to the Shorthorn breed, and on the light soil they were sure to lose their size in time Mr. Ranford quoted instances where breeders of Shorthorn cattle had actually proved this contention by experience.

The Jersey breed was in a strong position, the chairman said, by reason of the fact that they were the “big little” cattle and the economical producers. The Jerseys had a clearer and clearer linage than any other breed, and could be traced back on Jersey Island for about 250 years of absolutely pure breed. In production also the breed had a bigger backing than anv other breed Jersey breeders had a lot to thank heavy producers of other breeds for. because their production was a factor in the success of the Jersey, as it showed that she was the most economical producer. Twenty years ago it was hard to find a herd without a Jersey bull. It was not sentiment that made the success of the breed, but practical £.s.<l, They had stood the test of utility. The question of the national sales being inaugurated by Wright, Stephen son Ltd., the fir«?t sale to bo held a -

Auckland, was then discussed by Mr. Ranford. He did not altogether like the idea of this sale, and wanted a general expression of opinion from the conference. Taranaki was known as the home of the Jersey, and produce! Jerseys second to none hi the Dominion, or, perhaps, in the Southern Hemisphere. This being so, he thought it was not right to send the cattle away from their home for sale. Instead of the Taranaki clubs holding individual sales they should adopt one general sale with a shifting venue. Great car? should be exercised in accepting catth for sale, as they wanted to see only the best cattle to’ create a demand that would attract buyers from all parts of the Dominion, and perhaps outside. Mr. A. H. Guy said in regard to the Kaponga'Club’s sales that inferior cat tie were not accepted. All cattle, with the exception of two-year-old heifcri, had to show records. Air. Ranford pointed out the desirability of preserving the identity of the breed. If they had the whole of Taranaki to select from they could get a really good selection committee. Records were not sufficient, but the type would also have to be taken into consideration He could see the time when a Taranaki sale would become of immense importance. Tara? ki must become a ca • tie exporting country. Mr. D. O’Sullivan agreed with tin chairman. Tn Taranaki they had the

grade, and they should get buyers into the habit of coming io Taranaki.

Other speakers fell in with the suggestion. but stressed the necessity o’ more stringent regulation for the acceptance of cattle for sale. Mr. Ranford moved: “That this conference of Taranaki Jersey Cattle Club

representatives is strongly of opinion that a Taranaki provincial annual Jersey cattle sale should be instituted.” Mr. Yeates (Inglewood) seconded-th * motion. Mr. 11. B. Lepper (Lepperton) differed from the general opinion. He thought the Auckland firm was to be congratulated upon inaugurating a national sale. It showed that Auckland was ahead of Taranaki. In time they might be able to get a national sale in Taranaki. Mr. Ranford agreed that the Auckland firm were to be commended for their enterprise, but the principle of sending the Jerseys away from the"? home for sale instead of bringing buyers to the Jerseys home was wrong. At a later stage, Mr. Lepper proclaimed himself in favor of the proposed provincial sale. In the general discussion which followed. the opinion was expressed that besides the provincial sales there shou’d be nothing to prevent the clubs from holding individual sales.

The motion was then put, and carried unanimously. Mr. Ranford brought up the question of the appointment of official demonstrators to the different districts. He said the New Zealand Jersey Catth Breeders’ Association was circulating all clubs, calling for nominations for appointment as demonstrators in each district, the appointee, if approved, to receive out-of-pocket expenses from the association. His club (Stratford) had approved of the following remit to th Auckland conference:—“That demonstrators be nominated by the varioneattle clubs along the lines now obtaining in appointing judges, and that the council compile a list of duly appointed demonstrators, and forward it to the various clubs throughout the Dominion, thereby enabling clubs to select demonstrators from outside districts.” Mr. Ranford wished an expression of opinion on the remit. It was generally agreed that an interchange of demonstrators was desirably to give uniformity to the type, and that there should be some standard set oa which to demonstrate.

After discussion the conference passed a resolution pledging itself to support the remit at the Auckland conference. Mr. Hoskin (Motapu) advocated the desirability of providing in show schedules for a class for champion Jersey cows. As it was, a man with an outstanding cow could go through the shows and take all the prizes. This discouraged exhibitors with cattle a little inferior. If a cow took a championship at any show, she should be allowed to show only in the champion class. This class would keep on growing. The winner of the class would be the champion of champions. When a cow had won the, champoinship of the open classes she would be eligible for the champion class.

General points in the proposal which required serious consideration were raised by Mr. D. O’Sullivan and others Some speakers wanted to see junior championship introduced, also a grand championship. Mr. Ranford pointed out the desirability of encouraging the Jersey Oaks at New Plymouth, the Futurity Stakes in Stratford, and the Butter-fat Stakes at Hawera. He suggested that there should • be reciprocity between the A. and P. associations, New Plymouth pro viding a class for cattle entered in thj Stratford Futurity Stakes, and so on.

A resolution was passed pledging thosi present to support, in their separate clubs, the proposal regarding the reciprocity among the special classes (Jersey Oaks. Futurity Stakes and Butterfat 'Stakes) and the institution of junior, senior and grand champion classes in the show schedules. Mr. R. Cornwall raised the question of negotiation fees. He thought it might be a good thing to increase the fee from 6s to, say, £5 ss, to prevent the market being flooded with inferior registered bulls.

The danger of driving breeders into other breeds by adopting this attitude was pointed out by Mr. Ranford, and the hardship imposed on young breeder; was stressed, but it was agreed that some action was necessary to prevent so many inferior bulls from being registered. Complaint was made by Mr. D O’Sullivan regarding the inconvenient time (July) the annual meeting of the council of the New Zealand Breeders’ Association was held, this date conflicting with the dairying season, and it was decided, to draw the attention of the council to the inconvenience. In view of the success of the conference, it was decided to hold the next conference in New Plymouth in August or September, the New Plymouth club to arrange a definite date. Votes of thanks were accorded the Stratford Jersey Club for thc> generous entertainment at luncheon and afternoon tea, to Mr. W. Dwyer, steward of the Egmont Club, for serving the tea. and to the Egmont Club for lending their rooms free of charge. The chairman was also thanked for presiding.