FARMING NEWS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 195, 14 May 1940, Page 10

FARMING NEWS

rainiliiuiiiiton By 11. A. <MiiiMitHiumire TWO KUKU FARMS Pleasant Horowhenua A JERSEY STRONGHOLD Extending from Lei m southward to Vaekakariki is a strip of fertile coasta. country, that pletisaut land of lloruwlii'ima, that Utts a climate much like that of lite Jersey Islands, And so, as’ is but natural, it has become a stronghold for Jersey cattle. Having regaid to the modest area' of the district, it has mt.de an unequalled contribution to the records ami popularity of (be breed in New Zealand. All credit for ibis achievement belongs to no one man, but of those who have given of their skill and efforts the name of Mr. Allan Horn stands out. Now in his seventy-fifth year, Mr. I lorn is still as interested as ever in Jerseys, and tn the Allandale stud of -Messrs. Allan Horn and Sons. maintained in the Kuku district of Ohuu. Founded long years ago with two animals, of Monopoly and Silver Prince blood, the herd was worked up till at a dispersal sale 150 bead were catalogued. The sire that reaily made the stud was Owlet’ of I’uketapu, purchased as a yearling when Allandale had but a dozen cows. He had just the potentialities to match with the K.G. 18th strain here at this time. "Widelv and consistently shown, the herd has a record of championships and prizes of which any stud would be proud. Here is one of the foundation herds of New Zealand. Well Farmed. A mile or so toward the sea from the Kuku factory is Ypres. Mr. J. G. Horn’s farm, where is maintained the Ypres Jersey stud. It is a farm of but 50 acres, yet milking 42 head and carrying the usual large percentage of young stock found on a stud farm. In the winter months a small amount of outgrazing is taken on fern country of the lower Tararua foothills. But no concentrates are purchased; the stock is kept under true herd conditions. To carry such stocking the farming lias to be really good, and so an interesting morning was spent going into the policy and methods followed and inspecting the excellent stock. A cow deserving of special comment, is Kuku Jennie Lea, rising 18 years, now in calf and who has bred every year. X V.11.G. cow. intensely bred Owler, _she has a meritorious production, up to 501 b. milk daily this very season, and has bred many a show winner, including the past season’s reserve champion bull (a two-year-old) at the Woodville and Pahiatua shows.

Under C.O.R. and O.H.T. lest last season the herd bad 31 milkers, averaging 2 years and 292 days of age, to average 4131 b. fat. The head sire is Ku Ku Les Nmines Emperor (imp.). An 18-months sou is being retained. His dam was Queen Bess, who produced 5431 b. as a two-year-old. In discussing points, Mr. Horn showed an appreciation of bone type; he likes that which is fine and plenty—the (rue thoroughbred character. And ,a remark oil condition was good—“Go into any herd at this season and you can readily pick the workers; they will show no surplus condition.” To curry the heavy stocking seen, no fewer than 11 acres of the farm's 50 are cut for hay each season and another three acres are cropped. Paddocks are small, so each .stock represents three to four acres of hay, and it was noted that all stacks were round. This shape has been held to for 10 or 11 years, as.it was found that round stacks best turned the weather, showing decided superiority to the usual oblong stacks. The original observation was based on the performance of cocks of surplus hay built beside stacks of the usual style. Crops are of mangels for winter and spring feeding, and also of green oats*. A. calving-time suggestion was that cows be fed for an hour daily on green oats for a fortnight before calving; it loosens the bowels and puts them in ideal condition. Nothing else can give such benefit as this fresh, green, succulent feed. Topdressing is only lightly given, but liming is extensively practised. This I find to be very common on pedigree farms. Where this farm stands was originally great totara ground, and Mr. Horn telis of felling the last nwnach, a giant that was some 22 feet in girth. From this was split 208 posts. Most of us would .like to have a few such trees standing today. Altogether Ypres is an enjoyable farm to visit for its grand stock and good husbandry.