Members of the New Zealand Red Poll Cattle Breeders' Association were back in Northland last week, checking out five herds of the British breed from Taipuha in the south to Pamapuria in the north.
The tour party of 16, which included three Australian breeders, were impressed with the quality of most of the lines presented, comment being made that the animals on show would compare favourably with any of their breed in the world, and as mid-sized cattle compared extremely well with other breeds.
Pamapuria breeder Robin Shepherd said that while red poll cattle are not currently recognised as significant players in the New Zealand beef market, their meat, when judged in carcase and testing competitions, always rated highly.
The consensus amongst the visitors was that Ged Thompson's Victoria Valley herd were vigorous, well-grown animals displaying excellent breed traits, while the Shepherds' herd of 80 were judged to be of high quality, displaying excellent evenness in conformation and growth.
The two herds viewed in the Dargaville area the previous day were also admired as great examples of the breed, Richard Alspach and Nina Walker, both of whom had suffered badly in the previous few weeks with flooding, still managing to present well-bred stock in good condition.