PURE-BRED BULLS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 259, 25 July 1908, Page 3

PURE-BRED BULLS.

.CHAMPION DAIRY COW REGULATIONS. A .MOVE TO IMPROVE THE BREED. Tho conditions under which the Wairarapa A. and P. Association's champion dairy cow competition's 'are to be decided (says our correspondent) show an earnest desire on the, part of tho committee to do as much as possible in tho way of improving tho dairy breed. For years past authorities have endeavoured to impress upon dairy farmers the fact that the improvement of Btock rests largely upon the sire, who should always be purebred. There are still some farmers who contend that so long as tho cow has a first-class milking strain tho quality of the sire is quito a secondary consideration. This, however, is held to. have been disproved 'time and again, but'the. Dairy Committee of the Wairarapa A. and P. Association has allowed it three years', grace before finally wiping it right o.f tho slate. Tho regulation regarding breeding reads as follows: — "The first three yearly competitions to be open to any breed, grado, or cross, but owner to stato breed if known, thereafter to a cow got by a pure-bred bull entered in a recognised herd boob, "or eligible for entry in same, onus of proof to bc_ on exhibitor, oxccpting that any. exhibit winning a first prizo in the first three years will be allowed to remain in the competition in succeeding years." Further regulations state that tho entries arc to be limited to two cows from any one exhibitor. Tho cows are to bo in the possession of, the AVairarnpa A. and 1\ Association for ton days, tho test to bo made on the last four days. There is to bo no feed allowed to the cows, but they may be rugged. Prizo points are allowed as under:— For every 10lb. of milk 1 point. For every lb. of butter fat ... 25 points. The prize-money to be awarded amounts to £15 in cash and a championship prizo, which has to be won three times • boforo it becoincs any exhibitor's entire property. Tho prize-money migiit have been larger, when one considers tho importance of tho industry, but with the championship and special prizes tho competition will no doubt attract a large amount of attention from dairy breeders. Tho Wairarapa A. and P. Association, and the dairy companies interested aro to be congratulated ' upon a movo which ultimately must: be of great benefit to the district and to the industry generally. 1