Herd Mentality: Finding Inspiration from Livestock Breeders
BY DAN SAYERS continued
The ability to assess the quality of domestic animals is as old as domes- tication itself. Over millennia, shep- herds and cattle drovers improved their stock by sparing those animals capable of reproducing the quality of their wool or meat. For countless gen- erations, only the finest rams and fit- test of bulls were permitted to pass
along their desirable characteristics. This was true for ewes and cows that were also expected to be good moth- ers. Success in breeding wasn’t truly measured until those animals intended for slaughter had reached maturity, thus providing a return on the investment of fodder, labor and time. Likewise, sheep and cattle dogs did not pass
along their strength and agility simply becaused they were pretty or came when called. They too had to prove themselves by keeping their herds safe from predation. Although livestock shows came to the fore in the 19th century, they’ve actually been taking place for thousands of years. (Camels have been assessed
“SUCCESS IN BREEDING WASN’T TRULY MEASURED UNTIL THOSE ANIMALS INTENDED FOR SLAUGHTER HAD REACHED MATURITY, THUS PROVIDING A RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT OF FODDER, LABOR AND TIME.”
Alpine Goats, females, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Georgelet. (Agriculture Show, Paris)
Italian Heavy Draft Horse, Arco, six-year-old stallion, presented by Davide Spiniella, owned by Intermizoo S.P.Q. (Verona Agriculture Fair, Italy)
62 • S how S ight M agazine , J anuary 2018
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