J. M. Ranstead

John Morris Ranstead (1901-02, DipAgr, OBE 1960), the Bledisloe Medallist, 1931. John Morris Ranstead was widely known as farmer, breeder of pedigree cattle, pioneer in grassland management and member of many farming and scientific organisations. He developed dairy herd by use of pedigree Shorthorn bulls and conducted breeding experiments on dairy cattle before the establishment of any official research stations. He established many dairy production records with concentrates and grass alone. He pioneered Waikato experiments in grassland management; foundation member of dairy cattle organisations; President, Patron, New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association; first President New Zealand Society of Animal Production; Hon. Life Member Royal Agricultural Society New Zealand; member of Board of New Zealand Dairy Research Institute; Advisory Committee Ruakura Animal Research Station; Advisory Council New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Member of other scientific and farming organisations and author of various practical and scientific writings.