DAIRYING AT METHVEN.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17740, 17 April 1923, Page 3

DAIRYING AT METHVEN.

IMPROVEMENT IN HERDS. The dairying industry is getting a very strong hold in the Methven district, and tho present season will be the best that has ever been experienced. There is scarcely a farmer in the district at the present time that is not milking a considerable number of cows and sending the cream to the factories. A very striking clinn go has taken place lately in the breed of cows on tho various farms in t-l.e district. At i one time cows of a very mixed variety ■were to be seen all over the district, but when farmers commenced testing their cream they found that cows that did not give at least a 200 test did not pay to keep, and consequently they got rid of them. The predominant strain in this district at present is the Hdstein-Fri'.sian, and some qf t/e" finest cattle, both cows and bulls, of this strain are to be seen at present on the various dairy farms. Mr Ralph Holland, one of the largest dairy farmers in the district, who purchased' practically nil his purebred cows and bulls from Mr Grigg, of Longbe.ich, has been testing his cows carefully for some time past, and has obtained splendid results. One of his cows gave "last year a test of 494 butter-fat. This cow is by Mr Griggs's champion Lull Patchwork out.of the dnm Old Fashion.

Another cow in this herd gave on an average for several days 281b of milk in the morning and 241b at night, and the test was 5.4. Another very good cow in this lierd, Magpie Lassie, averaged for 17 days 621b of milk per day, and the x«st was 50. Mr Holland hns several heifer calves from the above cows, and from present appearances they should equal, if not excel tlveir mothers. If the farmers continue* breeding and testing as carefully as Mr Holland and several others in the district, tk; dairying industry will give a hard run to the growing of cereals, as from dairying the cash is paid out monthly, and the price is definitely known month by month, whilei tlie return from wheat or oats is liable to great fluctuation. The weather also has a groat deal to do with these cereals, dry weather being essentially necessary for harvesting and threshing. The price still being paid to suppliers of cream in this district is Is Bd' per lb butter-. c at, but if tbe price on the London market keeps as low as at present quote 1, the price paid to farmers will fall ra proportion. However, even if prices fall somewhat, farmers will be satisfied with the remuneration.