TOWN MILK SUPPLY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 8

TOWN MILK SUPPLY

CRITICISM OF JERSEY HERDS STATEMENT BY FRIESIAN BREEDER “If Canterbury had to rely on the Jersey breed for its supplies of town milk, it would not only have an unsatisfactory supply from the nutritionist's point of view, but the supply would also be inadequate,” said Mr C. W. Humm, a past president of the New Zealand Friesian Breeders’ Association, commenting on a statement by Mr L. A. Higgins, president of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association. 1 At the annual conference of the association this week Mr Higgins said that Jersey milk had the highest food value of any, and that if more persons demanded it they would get better food value for their money. Much of the milk for town supply was on the border-line of the requisite food value. Mr Higgins said a great deal of town-supply milk would be well below standard if Jersey milk were not mixed with it. Mr Humm, who is a prominent Friesian breeder at Waikuku. said that the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfariane. M.P.) had hit the nail on the head in his criticism of “the urban experts'* of town milk supply. “Jt is somewhat anomalous, however, to find his comment followed by erroneous statements by one who should know something about milk,” said Mr Humm. “In his attempt to foster the case of the Jersey cow for town milk supply, Mr Higgins has descended to criticism of a reputable breed of cow, the Friesian, which is doing a great job in Canterbury. Either Mr Higgins does not know the facts in relation to this latter breed, or he does not care to use them. “Far from the milk from Friesian breeders being on the border-line of requisite food value, the average test for May of all Friesian breeders, as taken by an independent analytical chemist, is over 4 per cent, of fat,” Mr Humm said. “I challenge Mr Higgins to find one Jersey cow among those herds. As to solids-not-fat, the average test for the year is well above the required standard for town milk. In addition, he should well know that nutritionists do not regard Jersey milk, because of its high fat content, as being suitable for the town milk supply.

“While Mr Higgins is boosting the Jersey cow for town milk supply, he should know that the herds must be tested for tuberculosis if they supply the town, and he is, of course, well aware that, with the exception of one I breeder, the Jersey cattle breeders refused to exhibit stock at the leading local shows because of a requirement i that all stock exhibited be tested for ' tuberculosis. It would seem that Mr Higgins should place his own house in order before suggesting that such stock can take the place of the Friesian breed, which is today giving Canterbury a good supply.”