PEDIGREE LIVE-STOCK

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XVII, Issue 2, 20 August 1918, Page 65

PEDIGREE LIVE-STOCK

DEVELOPMENT OF BREEDING IN NEW ZEALAND.

By

J. L. BRUCE,

Assistant Director of the Live-stock Division.

THE statement that greatly increased production will be essential to meet the country’s war liabilities has now become a commonplace, and the question resolves itself into the development

of those lines of production most soundly based on our great national assets of climate and soil, as also geographical position. Among various sources of agricultural wealth awaiting further development perhaps none is of more importance and greater potentiality than the breeding of. pedigree live-stock. The economic incidence of pedigree-stock-breeding falls under two main headings- —domestic and export. The domestic side is naturally the most important, concerning as it does the enormous material benefit to be derived from a general uplifting of the standard and value of commercial animals within the Dominion. On the other hand, the more definite proposition of the export trade is of great value, not only in connection with its cash returns but owing to its stimulating influence on high standards of breed-type. That there

will be a world-wide demand for pedigree stock almost immediately transport is available after the war cannot but be recognized by those who have given the matter any consideration. The sooner, therefore, we ■ take action regarding prospective markets, and increase our ability to meet requirements, the more fully will we 'participate in a profitable business. This business we are pre-eminently suited ■to meet, and the following' grounds may be cited in support of the assertion:— ' .

(1.) The geographical position of New Zealand and its comparative proximity to prospective purchasing countries —namely, Canada, the United States of America, South America, the Commonwealth of Australia, South Africa, and the Pacific islands.

(2.) The variety of our climate, suited for raising all classes of stock from the dainty Channel Island cattle to the hardy Aberdeen-Angus or the rugged Scottish ■ Highland breeds; from the fine-combing Merino to the strong-wooded Lincoln ; and from the thoroughbred to the Clydesdale.

(3.) The entire freedom from disease in New Zealand export pedigree stock, a clean bill of health accompanying every animal shipped from the Dominion —by no means the least important factor.:

(4.) The continuous importation, ever since the foundation of the country, of high-class pedigree stock from Britain by breeders here who thoroughly know their business and how to perpetuate the respective breeds.

If the foregoing statement of our position and claim to rank in the forefront as a pedigree-stock-raising country is not too optimistic we stand well to become the nursery and distributing centre for pedigree stock in the Pacific, as Britain has been and still is for the world. Few have had a better opportunity of knowing' this country and its capabilities for stock-raising than the writer, and it is his belief that any claims here set out are well supported by facts. Let the doubter attend, say, a dozen of our agricultural and pastoral shows in the several centres and watch particularly the parades of prizetakers, when all sections are represented, and he can hardly fail to arrive at similar conclusions. Such a verdict has often been heard from capable judges from various parts of the world. Even as far back as the year 1882 the Clydesdale horses and Ayrshire cattle shown at Oamaru were in some respects equal to those at the Highland Society’s Show in Scotland the previous year. The Clydesdale mares and young animals shown at Oamaru so impressed the writer on his arrival 'in this country that the impression then formed and still remaining is that there must be, and undoubtedly are, peculiar conditions existing in New Zealand favourable to'' the raising of stock. It may therefore be accepted that we not only have the right classes of pedigree stock, but that we have had them for a very long time, and ought to be well abreast of requirements when the clouds of war roll away.

The following will go to show the value of the pedigree-stock business to Britain. In the Live-stock Journal Almanac of this year the value of pedigree stock exported from Great Britain in 1916 is given as — cattle, £275,020 ; sheep, £71,582 ; pigs, £3,367 ; and horses, £437>°99As an indication of the extent to; which pedigree Shorthorns are bred

in the north of Scotland, the firm of Macdonald, Fraser, and Co. (Limited), of Perth and Aberdeen, report having, in 1917, sold 1,463 head at an average of £lll 145., totalling £163,422 Bs. For Mr. William Duthie, of Collynie, in October last they sold twenty-four bull calves averaging £655 16s. 3d. per head, one animal (a March calf) bringing the then record price of £2,835. On the same day, on the neighbouring farm of Uppermill, they sold for Mr. James Durno seven heifers at an average of £333 per head, one heifer bringing £B4O. Within the same area pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Clydesdale horses are largely bred, and area source of steady income to a large number of farmers. Although this is an instance of what is being done in a comparatively small area of Britain, it must not be supposed that pedigree-stock-breeding is confined to a few districts in either England or Scotland. It is practically general throughout the country, each district specializing in the class of either cattle, horses, or sheep for which it is best adapted. , J-

■ From these figures it will be seen that the return to Britain from the' export of -pedigree stock is considerable. But however important such a trade may be to the nation it is', as already indicated, relatively of inconsiderable importance compared to the wealth derived from the continuous use of good pedigree sires in the domestic uplifting of the standard and value of commercial animals. One may note, for example, ■ what Argentina and the neighbouring South American States have done in a comparatively short time. No doubt, as purchasers of purebred stock, the pastoralists there have been, and still are, valued customers to the British breeders ; but it must not be supposed that this has been merely a passing hobby for having nice-looking animalsby those who could afford it. It was a well-considered and sound business undertaking to increase the wealth of those countries by improving their breeds of cattle and sheep, so as to enable them to profitably contribute to the world's meat-markets. One result is that about 75 per cent, of the beef imported into Britain is now supplied by South America. The quantity in 1916 was about 4,250,000 cwt., valued at nearly ten millions sterling, to which may be added another two or three millions for hides and by-products from these carcases. Had the South American pastoralists been content to continue with their native stock they would probably have had little or nothing to export to-day. This is an excellent demonstration of what it is the object of this article to emphasize— the value of pedigree stock and the consistent use of high-class pedigree sires.*

As showing the importance attached to pedigree by South American buyers and breeders, it is authoritatively stated that no Shorthorn is eligible for the Argentine Herd-book unless the pedigree, of both the sire and the dam goes back in unbroken sequence to 1850.

One who has been many years out of direct touch with stockbreeding in the Old-Country is apt to form more or less doubtful conclusions as to conditions elsewhere. The writer therefore recently

asked a personal friend, Mr. Alexander Reid, manager and founder of the late Dr. R. McNab’s Shorthorn herd and Romney flocks at Knapdale, Southlandwho has been in this, country only some four years, and who was for many years a leading breeder and feeder in Scotland for his impression of this country from a pedigree-stock breeder’s viewpoint. His reply is interesting, and also well supports the opinions expressed in this article. Mr. Reid says, —

“If it is the climate of Britain that has given her stud flocks and herds the pre-eminent position they hold to-day, then it is possible for New Zealand, and more especially Southland, to do likewise. Breeders in warm climates need to introduce fresh blood from cool climates to reinvigorate the constitution . and maintain the quality of their stocks. The first crop of calves in the Knapdale Shorthorn herd has entirely convinced me that we can produce them as well here as at Home. I am also fully persuaded that paddock feeding for breeding-stock is far more suitable than house feeding. In the first place, the stock is far healthier. The cows are less troublesome to get in calf and far: less bother in calving. My crop of calves are well grown and in splendid condition. I can now quite well understand the cry for /■ hair and still more hair/ made, I think, primarily by the American buyers of Shorthorn cattle many years ago. That cry was answered to the full by the Cruickshank Shorthorn breeders. A thick waving coat of. hair is a great boon to outwintering cattle. Paddock-fed cattle may not . come to the show-yard in the same finished condition practical men say overfed conditionof the cattle with which the show-yards at Home are filled, but they are as well grown and sufficiently developed to show up their good points or where defects lie, and that is all that ought to be asked of breeding-stock. Judges ought to discourage overfeeding of breeding-stock at shows as unpractical and unprofitable, The prospects for stud breeding were never brighter. The demand is worldwide and unlimited. Farmers find that although they succeed in making two . blades of. grass grow where only one grew before, the improvement is largely nullified unless they at the same time get improved stock to consume the pasture.”

It may not be out of place to here briefly examine our position as prospective exporters of pedigree stock. Taking sheep first, the export of stud sheep to South America, the United States of America, Canada, and the Commonwealth of Australia has been going on . for a good many years, and will no doubt increase rapidly immediately shipping-space is available. Preparedness to supply these countries and South Africa with exactly what they require in stud sheep, and in sufficient’numbers to meet requirements, is a matter which should be kept in sight, for the demand is fairly certain to increase when shipping facilities are available. In the live-stock world our strong feature is undoubtedly sheep. ■ • ■»

. As regards cattle, it is true we have the right blood in most breeds, but if we are to become an exporting country we have a long way to go before we can attract outside buyers as we have done in sheep. Australia has imported from New Zealand considerable numbers of beef cattle and some dairy cattle, and would take more than we are in a position to supply at present. A glance at the official milk-records of our purebred dairy herds will show that we are offering well in this

direction. With such, records, coupled with and supported by long pedigrees, it would be no surprise to. hear in the near future of some of these pedigree dairy cattle selling up to four figures.

In horses, as with cattle, we have the right blood, both in heavy and thoroughbred horses, but in these the supply is so far too limited to create a demand or to attract outside buyers to any extent.

While in no way underestimating the value of an export , trade in pedigree stock, the way to increased production lies more in what is practically within the reach of every stockowner in the country—namely, to “ grade up ” and “ feed up.” Every farmer cannot be expected to be a breeder of high-class pedigree rams, bulls, or stallions. This will always remain in the hands of a comparatively few gifted men. But every farmer can by consistently using long or short pedigree sires so increase his income through the increased value and earlier maturity of his animals that he will not feel too heavily his share in the increased indebtedness of. the nation. Crossbreeding in some classes of sheep and certain breeds of beef cattle are no doubt profitable in the hands of men who know how to handle them, but, in the writer's opinion, for all-round purposes and for general benefit of the country there is no sound reason why the ordinary stockowner should not go right after the purebred sires in all classes of stock, and reverse the present order by leaving crossbreeding to the specialist. It is much easier to maintain a purebred herd or flock than a crossbred.

' We may imagine New Zealand with practically nothing but purebred and high-grade cattle, sheep, and horses, together with the increased value and annual income from such stock to the credit of the country’. As an instance the case may be cited of an owner of a herd of Herefords who sold his calves at ten months old last season for commercial purposes for £9 ss. per head. The value of these animals if well done by will probably be, at two and a half years old, at least £22, as against that of the ordinary "scrub” calf at £3 10s. at the same age (possibly dear at that figure, to say nothing of deaths before winter is over), whose value it three years and a half will be, at ..the outside, from £l6 .to £lB. Apply this difference in value, in conjunction with earlier maturity (or even half that claimed), to, say, two-thirds of the beef cattle in the Dominion; in the case of dairy cattle an increase of. some 50 lb. of butter-fat on 760,000 dairy cows; and an extra pound of wool, earlier maturity, and a heavier carcase in the case of 25,000,000 sheep —when some idea as to the possibilities, on a money basis,, of better breeding, feeding, and management can be arrived at.

This does not exhaust our resources : there are at least two other important live-stock industries pigs and poultry which might begreatly developed on right lines, but space restrictions will here only allow of attention being drawn to their magnitude in Canada and the United States of America.

Developments in breeding pedigree live-stock such as outlined, in my opinion, might best be entrusted to the able direction of the capable breeders, with which this country is fortunately so well provided, to be applied through the various breed societies and agricultural and pastoral associations. The valuable work which has been done by the various societies and associations, and which is still going on, must be

apparent to every one who takes the slightest interest in the breeding of ,stock. Extend their powers and functions if need be, but it .is to these organizations that we must look if we are to attain the ideal aimed at. The* brand of each breed society as to type and pedigree, supported by the Government veterinary certificate of health . (and in the case of horses of freedom from hereditary unsoundness), should be the hall-mark upon which purchasers both at Home and abroad can absolutely depend. As an example we have only to look at the British breed societies and pedigrees, the reliability of which has placed the British stock-breeder in the enviable position he occupies to-day in the eyes of the world. Our reputation is in the making, and this the breed societies of New Zealand may well be trusted to faithfully maintain. - .

* The articles entitled “The Bull,” “Beef -production,” and “The Art of Breeding Live-stock,” published in the Journal for July, 1913, September, 1915, and December, 1916, respectively, may be referred to in conjunction with the present article. .