THE FRIESIAN

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1932, Page 16

THE FRIESIAN

Introduction to Taranaki An Individual’s Enterprise Three hundred years ago the beefraiser of Scotland, and England had only one aim and one standard of success. It was to breed animals big in frame, however ugly in appearance. Even in those far-off days the nuggety beef breeds from which the modern polled Angus has descended were appreciated. But the Aberdeenshire breeder heard that in Yorkshire and further south rivals were raising bigger beasts than his. Inquiry showed that the English breeders had imported “Dutch” cattle, and it was not long before some of the imported stock had gone “north of the Tweed.” That, according to some authorities, is the history of the introduction of the Friesian cattle to Great Britain. In 1618 an authority praises the “Dutch” cattle for their great size and for the manner in. which ■ they ■ fattened in the rich but somewhat swampy grazing lands of Lincolnshire and Southern Yorkshire. _ A 'century later the wonderful milking capacity of the breed is noted, and an enthusiast asserts that though the “Dutch” cow docs not put on much flesh while in milk, it will fatten quickly when dried off. Apparently the quest for the “dual-purpose” cow had begun even then!

When selective breeding for milking purposes began is not very clear, but for a century at ,least it has been pursued in the Netherlands and in. other countries until the Friesian milch cow has gained a world-wide reputation as a wonderful producer of milk. The breed has been'known in New Zealand for 40 years, and in Taranaki for over a generation. In the days when frozen beef exports were valuable the ■desire for dual-purpose dairy stock was common, to .all dairying districts, and particularly in Taranaki, where much rough country had still to be broken in. The founder of the firm of Newton King Ltd. had faith in. change as well as in experience. Mr. Newton King became a Friesian enthusiast, and imported and bred some of the best representatives of the breed that' Taranaki has known. When a settler from “down the coast” told Newton King he was tired of raising a herd bred “by anything’s son out of everything’s daughter,” he got a sympathetic hearing. The two discussed the nature of the settler’s holding and all the other detail incidental to a change in herd management, and the result was the establishment of a Friesian herd which has brought prosperity to its owner and benefited many another herd besides his own.

Newton King Ltd. is still keenly interested in herd improvement and management. Assistance to settlers in this regard is arfrfmportant feature of the firm’s activities. It can show actual benefits obtained through following the •advice it has given, and that its equipment for rendering service in this direction is complete and efficiently handled.