MILKING SHORTHORNS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18341, 29 May 1931, Page 8

MILKING SHORTHORNS.

N.Z. BREEDERS CONFER. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. A SATISFACTORY YEAR. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association was held in Hamilton last evening, Mr J. H. Mason, of Feilding, the president of the association presiding over a large and representative attendance of members. There were representatives present from Timaru, Manawatu, Blenheim, Canterbury, Invercargill, Dargaville, Ohura, Franklin, Papakura, Bay of Plenty and numerous other centres. The annual report stated: — 'lt is certainly encouraging to be able to state that the membership shows a substantial increase. Members must realise that through a year of low’ prices for our primary products and low values for our livestock, it is a difficult problem to secure new members for the association. Reviewing the past year, members generally experienced little difficulty in disposing of any young stock they had for sale at satisfactory prices, especially progeny from dams with good butterfat backing. The records of the association show that during the year pedigree males sold on transfer number 386 and females 271. This is a distinct indication that the popularity of the dairy Shorthorns is being well maintained. Registrations. There has been no appreciable drop in the number of stock registered, although this was expected in a period of llnancial depression. Volume 10 Herd Book recently published contains registrations of 1136 males and 3358 females, which must be considered a very great achievement and a -mark ,of progress. Dominion Herd Testing Records. In this volume may be found a long list of performances of registered cows and it is encouraging to note the increase in the number -of cows being tested. Quite a number of Shorthorn herds have taken leading places in their district groups, and reports in this direction from members are- of particular interest. .. Pride of place for a cow under group herd testing is given to Mr G. N. Bell’s cow 7 , "'Birklarid Blanche 2nd,” with 7641 b butterfat in 348 days as a three-year-old. Congratulations are extended to him on his success. Mr T. W- Wardlaw, Waimana, lias for the second year in succession gained the distinction of winning the association’s prize for the highest record under C.O.R. testing. To him our heartiest congratulations are extended. Another outstanding C.O-R. record and worthy of mention is credited to “Mantagi Elizabeth 2nd” with 731.981 b butterfat, owned by Messrs Ranstead Bros., Matangi. The C.O.R. bulls of the breed now number twelve, four bulls having newly qualified during the past year. Royal Show. The holding of the Royal Show and half-yearly general meeting ! in Hastings,' Hawke’s Bay did much to stimulate interest in that district. Appreciation is expressed to those members who travelled long distances with their stock. The exhibit of dairy Shorthorns was an outstanding feature of the stock exhibits at the Royal Show. Congratulations are extended to Mr R. D. Duxfleld on again winning the championship with his bull, . "Pine Farm Gem 4th.” Congratulations are also extended to Mr R. V. Brown on winning the champion cow class with his high quality cow, “Waimea Domingo:” The same exhibitor had the distinction of winning the McGovern Cup for the best yearling bull and the Fitz-Hugh Cup for the best yearling heifer. This is undoubtedly a fine performance, unique in the history of show records. The English Dairy Shorthorn Cup was won by Mr G. N. Bell with his four-year-old heifer, “Birkland Blanche 2nd,” to whom congratulations are also extended. The champion cow classes for all breeds at the Manawatu and Wairarapa Shows were won by Mr R. V. Brown with “Waimea Domingo," a great honour for the Milking Shorthorns, and congratulations are extended to her owner. Finance. Although the bank balance is higher than at March 31, 1930, it has not been possible to carry out the year’swork without employing our assets, owing to the payment for volume 10 Herd Book in cash. The Finance Committee considered that .the discount for a cash payment more '“than compensated for loss in interest for a short period. Owing to the tightness of the money market the amount shown as outstanding subscriptions lias risen from £132 6s to £174 6s, but it is hoped that members who have not sent in their subscriptions will do so at an early date. The balance-sheet disclosed a credit balance of £254. In conclusion the president desires to thank the council and members for their co-operation during the year and would stress the importance of maintaining 'an increasing interest in the breed at the present lime as there is beginning an appreciable swing towards the milking shorthorn by the farming community generally and l feel sure that the time is not far distant when they will have attained a very high place of economic importance in this country. Lastly I should like to mention the thorough .way in which the organising secretary has carried out his duties for the past year. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted as read. The chairman announced at this stage that the Advisory Council had decided, In view of the depression and in the hope of saving money to reduce the prize monies allocated to the various shows. Mr A. W. Green, the secretary had suggested and accepted a 10 per cent, cut in his salary. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr R. Peach, of Canterbury; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs. R. 1). Duxfleld (Ngaruawaliia), R. Ranslcad (Matangi); hon. secretary, Mr A. W. Green (Hamilton); lion, treasurer, Mr R. D. Duxfield; lion, auditor, Mr C- W. Armstrong; life members, Messrs, 11. Brown, S. Grant and E. Clifton. The following .remit was tabled from the Canterbury branch: “That New Zealand should not take any risk with foot and mouth disease, and as an association wc should strenuously protest against stock being imported from countries where the disease exLts.” J

The motion, when moved, caused a great deal of discussion but it was finally carried unanimously. Another remit from the same centre which caused a great deal of discussion was one reading: “That appendix stock is not to be shown at provincial and Royal Show’s.” Some members expressed 'the opinion that the appendix stock shbuid be excluded from the Royal Shows but not from provincial or district sh\iws. The motion was lost on the show of hands by a majority of three. The Bay of Plenty branch forwarded two remits which read as follows: (1) “That no male" be registered unless his dam has"put up the Government standard of fat under C.O.R. or Group Herd Testing. Association test; excepting unsound cows the males of same to be registered on the production of a daughter of the said cows.” \ . (2) “That any alterations or additions lo the rules and regulations oi the association be dealt with at tha annual meeting only.” Speaking to the first remit the . Bay of Plenty representative said his branch thought that such a step would uplift the breed and character of the Shorthorn cows. Several speakers spoke against the motion stating that at such a period the step would be a retrograde one. The motion was lost by a large majority. The second remit' was also lost after some discussion. It was decided the next annual general meeting be held in Hamilton, the date to be decided by the Advisory Committee. J