POLLED WHITE-FACED CATTLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 263, 6 November 1934, Page 4

POLLED WHITE-FACED CATTLE

Sir, —Mr Humphreys stated this strain was originated by Warren Gammon, an lowa fanner, in 1901. I based my statement on the following facts: In a communication to the Breeders’ Gazette, Chicago, Mr C. T. Mercer, Taylor Co., lowa, tells how he “manufactured” this breed. “In 1894,'-’ he says, “through an accident 1 bred a Hereford cow to a lied Polled bull; the offspring was a bull with perfect Hereford markings and polled. Thinking this something new and he being a good individual, 1 left him entire for about five years, using him on a. small herd of horned cows of mixed breeding, Hereford blood predominating- As a result, 1 found about 40 per cent, of the bull calves polled, some of both sexes having scuta. Selecting a small number of the best polled heifers carrying the most Hereford blood I crossed them with a polled Hereford bull 1 bought from Mr Guthrie in Kansas* ho having commenced breeding this same kind of cattle a few years earlier and had procured about the same as 1 had done, except that he used Polled Durham blood in place of lied Polled. The result of this cross was 98 per cent, polled calves from the polled cow and about 60 per cent, from the horned cow. 1 still selected the best and bred to another bull of the same blood lines. 1 have procured IOU per cent. polled calves, and several of the bull calves of this generation have gone into herds of horned cows where no polled blood existed and sired 100 per cent, polled calves, so any one can see that they are now as strong breeders as the older polled breeds. Evidently this was the start of this much talked of strain of cattle. As the pioneer importer and breeder of this strain of cattle, 1 quite appreciate Mr Humphreys taking me to task on this matter. Much of what this bleeder has written in reply to my statement appeared as part of an article in the New Zealand Farmer some months ago. I don’t think the Red Polled blood would be any drawback to the quality of the beef, but no doubt it has altered the conformation and some characteristics as compared with the Hereford. Neither Mr Humphreys or any American breeder will convince mo these cattle are directly descended from pure horned stock. 1 am rather surprised at Mr Moore boosting this made-up American stra’n of cattle, it makes one wonder what is wrong with the old breed. In December, 1910, the writer had the pleasure of inspecting the Bushy Park herd of pedigree without a doubt they were a grand lot of cattle. From what 1 remember of the cows and heifers, they were descendants of those great imported bulls Colonist and Ensign. If Mr Moore still has the same quality and breed character in his herd to-day I feel sure Polled White Faces would not make any improvement. No doubt the cross will take off the horns. One prominent Hereford breeder stated: “The improvement will come from the progeny of horned cows.” A frank admission that these imported cattle are not up to the standards of New Zealand Herefords. This discussion came about through the ridiculous embargo on live stock from Britain. Had there been no embargo this strain of cattle may not have been introduced into New Zea land. There is no doubt that our beef breeds have not made any headway for a number of years. In fact, some have gone back owing to the lack of new blood. It is high time the stone walling tactics adopted by the Farmers’ Union arc withdrawn and the embargo lifted. First-class bulls of all the beef breeds have been available in Britain at reasonable prices for a number of year*. Breeders in Australia have been importing and gradually improving the'r herds until to-day New Zealand is well behind in lirst-class cattle* A great deal of credit is due to that small band of breeders, who have, in spite of heavy charges, landed cattle from Britain through Tasmania. Personally, I think it would be disastrous if all* the old Hereford breeder! changed over to this made-up AanMw strain. The rugged constitution will not be improved—rather the opposite. To my mind it would be better to take the horns off a good Hereford than have a nondescript Polled White Face. Thanking your, yours faithfully, JOSEPH WEBB.