COLOUR IN ANIMALS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21216, 10 December 1938, Page 15

COLOUR IN ANIMALS

INDICATION OF QUALITY A South Australian judge of Illawarra Shorthorns, Mr Whipps, asserts that harsh and coarse-haired cows generally have a lower cream test than those with soft and fine hair. This opinion was expressed by Mr Whipps at a social following the opening day of the South Australian Royal Show, at which he judged this breed. Commenting on the cattle paraded before him, he said he noted a predominance of good females over males, and that this fact obtained in most shows in Australia. It was obvious, he said, that more importance would be attached to lighter-coloured bulls in the future, for in mating with the darker female, softer-coloured progeny were produced. He asserted that colour was important as dark cattle were inclined to be harsh-haired and very often low testers. They were, he said, also frequently more hard to milk, as their teats tended to be more leathery than those of the lighter-coloured types.

The opinion has long been held by dairy farmers, especially in England, that colour is an accurate indication of vitality and health. In this case, however, the preference was for darkcoloured cattle, or at least those which were dark on the “points," the preference, in Jerseys, being for those with light fawn bodies shading to dark brown on the thighs, rump, legs and head.

This colouring, it was asserted, indicated that the animal had a good circulation, and would be healthy, and vigorous, and consequently a good producer. Although many, often divergent, opinions are expressed regarding the value of different shades of colour, there has not yet been a scientific pronouncement as to whether it can be accepted as a guide to any other characteristic. In nature, colour is usually protective only, and it seems unlikely to be linked with important characteristics in domesticated stock.