JERSEY CLUB

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3471, 26 May 1934, Page 6

JERSEY CLUB

TE AWAMUTU MEMBERS MEET.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANNUAL BULL SALE. A general meeting of the Te Awamutu Jersey Club was held on Friday evening, the president (Mr Hamilton Allen) occupying the chair. The treasurer presented a statement of the financial position, showing a credit balance of £l6 10s lOd, with amounts outstanding to increase the total to £42. On the subject of the proposed incorporation of the club, the parent body advised that there is no objection to the proposed incorporation. Replies were not to hand from kindred qlubs, and decision was deferred until a later meeting. The matter of registration of tattoo marks on females born after 31st July, 1930, was referred to, and it transpired that a member had obtained an assurance from the parent body that an owner can have any mark he wishes tattooed on the ear provided it is easily distinguishable by the tester when the animal comb mences her test.

The special sub-committee appointed to prepare recommendations in connection with the catalogues for the next annual pedigree bull sale reported that entries should close definitely on a specified date, and entries lodged after that date should be rejected. The three auctioneering firms were in accord on this point, and would observe the rule, so that an intending vendor, who is dilatory, cannot get another of the three firms to accept his entries. All pedigrees must be in the hands of the club’s secretary within fourteen days following the closing date, and the club will supervise the printing of the catalogue and distribution to the firms. In case of refusal of an entry by any firm, the other firms are to be advised, so that uniform action may be observed. The chairman supplemented the report, and said the recommendations were prepared after a full conference with the three auctioneering firms.

The point was raised that if a vendor, having nominated one or more bulls, neglect to forward the detailed pedigrees for the catalogue within the appointed time, his entry will go forward, but details of pedigree will not be given. Mr Allen said that he had given notice at last meeting to move that negotiations be entered into for the sale to be conducted by another firm. In view of the amicable agreement with the three auctioneering firms who have previously conducted the sales, he asked leave to withdrakv his notice.—This was agreed to. It was mentioned that the offering at last year’s bull sale, when about 170 animals were auctioned, was too large for a one day sale. One member suggested holding two separate sales, only forward well grown bulls with high butter fat backing being accepted for the first sale, held not later than mid-Septem-ber; the second sale, three weeks later, catering for the younger animals that are not so well finished. Probably a fourth auctioneering firm would co-operate, with the likelihood that purchases would be made for outside districts.

Opinions varied as to what limit in numbers was desirable, ranging from 60 to 100. An obstacle to this course Avas that two catalogues would have to be prepared, and even were that obstacle overcome the impression may be gained by prospective purchasers that the second offering was practically a “cull” sale. A suggestion was made that a two day sale would be preferable, but this met with the objection that there is no accommodation at the saleyards for such animals to be kept overnight. One breeder condemned the practice followed at one Claudelands sale, contending that if that particular sale was spread over four days vendors would benefit to the extent of hundreds of pounds. One member put forward the suggestion, as a solution, that the sale be confined to animals offered by breeders only. At present it is a members’ sale.

The opinion was expressed that too many bulls are being reared, and breeders would be well advised to rear only their best animals. The market is over-stocked.

This provoked discussion in which the point was conceded, but it was held that a year’s notice should be given.

It was contended that the club’s inspector could be more drastic in his classification. By tightening up the regulations the over-supply would soon disappear. Making a third class, fen animals with no certified butter fat backing, was advocated as a better method, animals in this class to be sold at the end of the sale.

The chairman reported having, with Mr Pattison, conferred with Mr S. Sheaf, general manager of the Herd Testing Association, on some matters of mutual interest. Mr Sheaf had indicated that the regulations were steadily being tightened up. He added that no published statement of a cow’s butter fat production under herd testing conditions should be accepted without a certificate from the association. Verification of herd testing figures could be obtained in a few hours from Hamilton head office without fee.

After a general discussion on the value of herd testing and as to whether records under such herd testing should be accepted for the bull sale, it was finally agreed that butter fat production under group herd testing be accepted for the catalogue, if the figures are certified. Mr Pattison contended that the surest way to reduce the number of entries for the sale was to rely on butter fat hacking. Bulls classed B should be offered first, class A following (probably at the best hour of the day), and 0 class animals last.

Members present gave an indicat on of their probable offerings, and these, combined with those of other usual vendors, accounted for fully 170. From this it was evident that normally there would be about 200 bulls entered. To eliminate bulls with no butter fat backing in three removes would probably only reduce

the number by about 25. Ultimately it was decided to hold two sales this year, with an interval of about three weeks, dates to be arranged. The chairman said the auctioneers had suggested that if a vendor of several bulls desires to sell through two or more auctioneers the vendors should place all sired by one bull with one auctioneer. That would reduce the cost of cataloguing. The meeting expressed a desire that further arrangements in connection with the bull sales be referred to a sub-committee, and Mes-~ srs H. Allen, J, G. Holmes, A. J. Johnson and C. North were appointed.