THE MILKING SHORTHORN.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15976, 19 November 1919, Page 8

THE MILKING SHORTHORN.

A GREAT AND POPULAR BREED. (By A. G. COER:.) What is known as the Shorthorn breed of cattle is probably the most widely distributed of all breeds in the world. According to last year’s statistics the number of purebred Shorthorns and cattle showing predominating strains of Shorthorn blood was about 1,665,514 — well over half the total number of cattle in New Zealand. In 1911 roughly threequarters of the milking cattle of Great Britain and Ireland were Shorthorns. These facts are a striking testimony to the utility of this breed. In this country the breed is fairly well distributed in the North Island, bat is almost confined to Canterbury in the South. In this Island it is more popular in the Auckland district, next in Wellington, with Taranaki third. Little or no dairying is done in Hawke’s Bay, though the best studs of beef Shorthorns are located, there. The popularity of the breed arises chiefly from its unequalled range of adaptability, thriving as it does in mostcountries and in a great variety of climates. Again, its suitability for the type known as “dual purpose” animals is one of its chief claims, as it is well known that the cows will give a fair supply of milk and produce a calf which, not considering purebred values, will always set well for store purposes. This feature will become more evident with the progress of closer settlement, entailing the entting-up of the larger stations, thereby causing a shortage of beef stores. Already the grazier depends to a large extent on the dairyman for his steers, and, as mentioned, the holders of Shorthorn steers has not a hard task in finding a purchaser. Another argument put forward by the breeder of this animal is its great hardiness. This is true, but is also true of most of the breeds exported from Great Britain to New Zealand. A REMARKABLE FEATURE. Another rather remarkable feature of the breed is its great prepotency. This is exhibited at a glance at most of the crosses one secs and is remarkable considerable the comparative youth of the breed. The great beef-producing properties of the breed are well known, and as a dairy animal it ranks high, having deep milking qualities transmitted through its blood from its earliest times. NOT YET A “FIXED TYPE.” Perhaps the greatest drawback to this bleed is that it is by no means a “fixed type” as yet, that is to say, the progeny of two animals of splendid milking qualities quite often turns out a disappointment as a milk producer. PERIOD OF LACTATION. Again, their period of lactation is comparatively short, very often not being longer than 300 days—though she still demands her feed for the remaining 65 days. ORIGIN LOST IN ANTIQUITY. Like most of our breeds of cattle, the origin of the Shorthorn seems lost in antiquity, but history points to the fact that the native Celts, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, etc., all brought cattle, which helped to lay the foundations of the stock from which the breed has sprung. It is said that even prior to 1600 cattle of a shorthorned type were common in England, but it was not until the latter part of the 18th century that the breed became anything like definitely developed, ORIGINAL HOME OF THE SHORTHORN, Its original home was in North-eastern England in the counties of - York, Durham, and Northumberland, with the North Sea bordering the east and the Cheviot Hills the north. Through this beautiful grazing country the River Tees has its course, .and in its rich valley the Shorthorn originated, and from there has spread out over the agricultural world. Early in the 18th century the Tees water (from River Tees) breed was a populor type, while in Yorkshire the Holdemess breed was being developed. In 1774 Ellis wrote; “I think of all the cows in England none come up to the Holdemess breed for large bags, short horns, and large bodies, which render them the most popular beasts for the dairyman, grazier, or huteter. Some of them have yielded three gallons at a meal (milking).” . One is inclined to view this latter statement in the light of exaggeration, but it impresses on us the fact that the old Tees water cow was a splendid milker even then. About this time evidence from Cully and other writers goes to prove that a farmer named Michael Dobinscn brought over from Holland some bulls which he used with his herds of old Teeswater, Durhams, etc. - EVOLUTION OF THE BREED. Now tho Holstein, or. to he more correct, the Friesian cattle, have been bred in Holland, Denmark, and Germany for a period of approximately 2000 years, and were then essentially a dairy breed. There is little doubt, therefore, that these bulls were very similar to the present-day Fnesians, and from this evidence it is almost beyond doubt that this now famous breed * the Shorthorn, originated from the crosses obtained from the old British Teeswater, Holderness or Durham, as it was called, and the Holsteins or Friesians. We have proof of this in the dark noses and black-tipped horns commonly found in present-day Shorthorns, which black markings, by the way, are regarded as objectionable by some judges. At this early period in the evolution of the Shorthorn, therefore, we gather that it was a large, rather disproportionate, clumsy animal, with, according to Cully, a thin hide and short hair (the dairyman will recognise the milking qualities in these latter two descriptions), and a breed well on the way to becoming a famous dairy animal. BEEP PRODUCTION. From this time, however, we trace a period which must be regarded as a downfall in the history of the dairy fihorthorn of England. As is well known, England was, and still is, more of a Beef-producing country than a dairySng one, and the Shorthorn lent itself Very well to beef production. The natural consequence was that nearly all England’s efforts were put into producing r. beef animal, and tho milking qualities were rapidly becoming neglected. About this time Robert Batewell was showing

the world that by inbreeding he could produce from these clumsy Shorthorns an animal of compact, clean frame, with remarkable characteristics. Two brothers named Charles and Robert Colling, having visited Blakewell’s farm and studied his methods, returned home and used them to advantage on their own stock. Other breeds were quick to follow, among the most famous of them being Thomas Booth, Thomas Bates, and later Amos Cruickshank and his two sons. Of course there are many others, but these, especially Booth and Bates, built up many fine herds, and were undoubtedly the greatest benefactors the breed has ever known. FAMOUS SIRES, Of tho famous sires of this period w© can, perhaps, regard Hubbach as the father of the breed. Hubbach was of a yellowish red colour, and reached his greatest fame when owned by the Colling Brothers, who bought him for about 8 guineas. Some of, Hubbach's descendants indued the famous bulls Foljambe (grandson) and Favourite, a son of Foljambe, and one o: the best of early Shorthorns. -Charles Colling, who owned Favourite, practised some inbreeding, and produced the great bull Comet, which in 3810 was sold for 1000 guineas, a record for that time. Now it must be kept in mind that the Shorthorn was at this time being perfected on beef lines. However, a few breeders, chiefly Bates, still endeavoured to retain the milking fatalities of the breed, and bred animals of the dual purpose type. DEVELOPMENT FOR THE DAIRY. About this time there came into existence the Coates Shorthorn Herd Book of Great Britain and Ireland, editad by Mr Coates, a prominent breeder. In 1905, however, a few thoughtful English farmers realised that some valuable milking qualities were being lost to a large extent, and with the idea of advancing the Shorthorn from a dairy standpoint, founded the Dairy Short horn Association, with, which was incorporated the Coates’ Book. But now came the trouble. The beef characteristics which had been so carefully bred in for at least fifty years kept coming out, and it required very careful selection to breed these out. A glance

at some of the best dairy Shorthorns to-day shows us that tendency to lay cn beef which is so undesirable in the absolute dairy animal. DUAL PURPOSE. Of course the old argument of “dual purpose” animal comes in here, many doubtless saying that as there are both beef and dairy qualities present, the breed ; s essentially a dual purpose one. It is not proposed to argue the question here beyond saying that the type is all right from a theoretical point of view, hut practically is rather baa’d to establish. There certainly are some very convincing records put forward as arguments for this type, especially those made by Red Polls and Shorthorns, but I think we will always find in a herd a strong tendency to revert .to either one definite type—beef or milk. I have noticed this particularly in a herd of Red Polls, some showing splendid beef carcases, with ]>oor mik production, and others of distinct dairy type in the same herd. CONTRASTS. Again, we do not look for both speed and strength in a draught horse, nor for strength in a racehorse, and the dairy cow and racehorse are somewhat alike in the respect of their both being highly specialised animals. AUSTRALIAN AND NE5t ZEALAND SHORTHORNS. The Australian and New Zealand dairy Shorthorn mav be said to have had its origin in the district of Hlawar, in New South Wales. This type was started there some 70 or 80 years ago—before the English farmer built up bis beef animal.

Some splendid animals showing strong milking qualities were introduced, but there'were also some other breeds, namely Devons and Ayrshires, imported to the district, and doubtless the breeds became mixed, the farmers introducing foreign blood rather than inbreed too long or introduce British beef blood. However, many breeders did ksep their stock pure, and built up some fine milking herds without introducing any outside blood. One of the most prominent studs of Australian Shorthorns, and on© which has found much favour in New Zealand, is that known as the Darbalara stud, many descendants of which have been prize winners in this country, HINTS IN CHOOSING THE HEED. 1 In choosing our dairy Shorthorns it is well to keep in mind the following points; The cow should, of course, have well stamped on her those outlines and features which experience has taught us arc inseparable from the dairy cow. In addition we should see an animal of sound frame, but not inclined to fleshiness. The general appearance should show plenty of constitution and vigour, but of quiet, docile temperament. The head feminine, but not too long, forehead slightly dished and wide between the eyes, which should be clear, prominent and mild. Ears medium-sized, coverd with soft hair and yellow inside. Horns short and fine, inclined inwards and rather downwards, slightly flat at the base, and yellowish in colour. The neck fine and tapering out to meet shouldres smoothly. Shoulders fine at withers, showing plenty of room for heart and lungs without being coarse. The barrel, loins, legs, etc., in keeping with dairy type, but especially showing no beefiness. Flanks rather flat. There should he plenty of space for a big udder, and a big udder to fill that space. It should he well built up behind, and carried well forward and not too pendulous. If should be soft and elastic to the touch, and not thick and fleshy. The veins should stand out prominently on it, and the “milk veins” running forward on the underline should be thick and knotted and disappear into the abdominal wall through large “wells.” The teats should he of convenient size and

squarely placed. The cow’s skin should be thin rather than thick, and the hair short, fine and soft, not coarse nor inclined to be furry. The tail should be set on at right angles to the back line, and should be fine, tapering down to hocks or below and ending in a full switch of fine hair. The colour of the Shorthorn varies from red, red and white spotted, roan, roan and white, or strawberry to pure white. The roan colour is most popular, though the pure white seems to be coming into favour. There should be no black smudges on the nose, and black-tipped horns are objected to, though one is inclined to view these latter as due to Atavic influences. INTERESTING RECORDS. The following figures are six of the best milking Shorthorns in New Zealand given during a period of 365 days; Willow Bank Beauty (mature), 15,7261b milk containing 655.21b fat. Malarge Mary (mature), 16,0351b milk containing 630.491b fat. Lilly (13-14 years), 13,567.51b milk containing 590.341b fat. Matargi Dot (mature), 12,5481b milk containing 5691b fat. Beauty (mature), 13,4771b milk containing 5511b fat. Matargi Sally Ist (7, years), 13,2111b milk, containing 5261b fat. Of course, these figures are taken from special cows, and we cannot look to every cow to do so well, but they give us an idea of what can be done.by exercising sound breeding judgment and practising rigorous persistent selection, eliminating any tendency to beef, and breeding only from those animals which conform to our standard of perfection—either real or imaginery—to a marked degree. Again, all farmers cannot afford the best blood for their herds, hut by constantly keeping in mind the dairy type they can do much, for, as Darwin wrote; “In man’s methodical selection, a breeder selects for some definite object, and free intercrossing will wholly stop his work. But when many men, without intending to alter the breed, have a nearly common standard of perfection, and all try to get and breed from the best animals, much improvement and modification slowly but surely follows from this unconscious process of selection, notwithstanding a large amount of crossing with inferior animals.”