Public Opinion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 265, 9 November 1936, Page 6

Public Opinion

BEEF BREEDS

Sir, —In your isue of November 3, under the heading of “Town Talk,” a certain statement requires (by a nameless correspondent) immediate explanation, otherwise the cattle entered for the chilled meat championship will not have justice when viewed by the rising generation. Quoting from an authority published in 1883 it states inter alia' The Smithfield record shows that during the first 34 years of this century Hereford bullocks had taken 88 premiums at the London fat stock show, more than double the number of any other breed of cattle in the same period. It also gives the photo of “Leonora," stating that she was a model of perfect form for a meatproducing animal and for many years the champion cow of England. Page 106 Youatt on Cattle gives the photo of an Aberdeen ox with horns, and states that besides these there is a breed of polled cattle different from the Galloways, and they were considered as Galloways introduced 30 years ago, and somewhat changed by climate and soil. They are of a larger size than the horned although not so handsome. Later, on page 170. Youatt, commenting on the improved Angus catle, claims that they "ere not quite equal to their ancestors the Galloways in quickness of feeding or fineness of grain. They attain a larger size, but they do not pay the grazier or the butcher so well. You will now see, Mr. Editor, that these polled Aberdeen Angus cattle that we have in New Zealand are improved by breeding the horns off the original Galloway cattle and had the Hereford breeds adonted the same methods in England instead of allowing the Americans to improve the breed, Smithfield would have a different tale to tell. With regard to the Galloways being lhe hardiest cattle beast next to the bison (North America). I am afraid the Americans will not bear your co--respondent: out. otherwise there would not be 100,000 more Herefords registered in (hat country than all the other beef breeds combined, but all steers are slaughtered minus horns.— I am, yours, etc., JOSEPH CARDARWINE. Westmere. Wanganui, Nov. 4. 1936.