ALFALFA JERSEYS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19566, 3 May 1935, Page 10

ALFALFA JERSEYS

ANNUAL DISPERSAL SALE. THIB YEAR'S OFFERING. •An outstanding event on the pedigree sale calendar of the Wailcato is the annual sale of the popular Alfalfa Jerseys. The sales of this wellknown stud in the past have been noted for the quality of the offering, and this year’s fixture promises to

follow this precedent. Carrying as they do the blood of that famous sire Waipiko Masterpiece ■C.8.'8., many of the offering will have no need to be provided with further proof of their quality, constitution and production. The descendants of Waipiko Masterpiece have always been eagerly sought by breeders, for the prepotent powers of this sire have been conclusively proved by his many daughters in all parts .of the Dominion. Other heifers to bo submitted to buyers are line bred to a sire that needs no introduction to pedigree breeders —namely, Vive La France’s Last Son (imp.). Waipiko Masterpiece, the champion of champion butterfat bulls, has been at 'the head of the Alfalfa Stud during the whole course *of his service oareer. Up to 1923 his sons topped every public auction at which they were offered, selling up to 200gns. By 1924 the stage was reached where it would have meant either restricting his use, acquiring more land, or disposing of his progeny. The lastnamed course was adopted,, and in May, 1924, his 14 oldest daughters were sold at prices up to 41Cgns, while several heifers in calf to him and his sons were also sold. Since 1923 the policy has been followed of annually selecting heifer calves from approved studs whose blood lines it was considered should nick with the wonderful Alfalfa Stud sires and selling them as in-calf heifers each year, along with the Alfalfa-bred heifers and bulls.

Another policy which has been followed is the securing of some of the Dominion’s premier proved breeding matrons. Notable examples of the dams thus secured are Patch's Darkle,

Holly Oak Adeline and Glenwood Princess, all of which have proved their ability to transmit their great producing powers to their progeny. Vive La France’s Last Son (imp.), who is justly claimed to be the greatest bred butterfat bull ever Imported to this Dominion, was (secured for Alfalfa, and ' production figures have proved beyond all shadow of do,ubt that the blending of his blood with

that of Masterpiece and the breeding matrons mentioned previously has created a combination of producing blood which is in the forefront in the world to-day.

The Alfalfa sale offers to both pedigree and non-pedigree breeders an

unrivalled opportunity to secure animals for the raising of their herd production. Many examples could be quoted where the production of dairy •herds has been considerably bettered by the use of an Alfalfa bull. The N*ew Zealand record for herd production, held by Mr C. Fell, Bay of ‘ Islands, with a herd of 70 high-grade —Jerseys averaging 460.91 b fat in 302 days, was made possible by the use of two pedigree Jersey bulls, both sons of Waipiko Masterpiece C. 8.8.