SENTIMENT IN BREEDING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21304, 25 March 1939, Page 15

SENTIMENT IN BREEDING

GREAT CHANGES TO-DAY In these times breeders have to concentrate so much on the £ s. d. Of their work that they have little time for sentiment. But how many give thought to this sentimental side of the breeder’s art even when the pecuniary question does not arise? In times gone by even pedigrees had a sentimental value and were not mere lists of names seen in' cold print; rather were they' names of living animals—names that brought out many an interesting tale when breeders met together on a railway journey, or round the fireside. In those days when an animal had finished his ring career or his work as a sire he would often be “pensioned off” to a life of ease in a quiet paddock to be regularly visited by the owner in his dally round. To-day the moment the sire’s usefulness is ended he may expect to be sold to the highest bidder and immediately forgotten. In earlier days breeders made it a point almost of honour to attend one another’s sale, despite the great difficulties of transport. They may not have always been bidders, but they went as a token of esteem and received a most hospitable welcome. To-day sales are much more numerous, and such a practice is impossible. A good deal of sentiment has departed. Howover, farming to-day is a business and the New Zealand producer has to make every unit of his farm pay.