In Praise of Shorthorns.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 177, 29 January 1897, Page 3

In Praise of Shorthorns.

A well known writer in the " Field " ■ays :— " The milking trials at the dairy •how have placed the ihorthorn at the head of the dairy cattle of this country. Hitherto the Jersey has been considered the best bntter>making cow, but at Is* lington her flag was lowered, not by one, bat by at least three shorthorns, which, while producing infinitely more milk, *also produced in the batter tests a larger quantity of batter. Upon whatever rational basis we value the produce of the best Jerseys and the best shorthorns, it is found that the produce of the shorthorn comes out first. It may be urged that shorthorns consume so much more food than the Jersey that any surplus produced by the larger cow is reduced in value for this reason ; but, on the other hand, there are two points in the shorthorn's favonr which have to be considered, and which once more brings her balance on the right side. Her calf has a market value that does not attach to the Jersey ; indeed, bull calves of the latter breed are sometimes difficult to give away, whereas those produced fro n such milkers as good shorthorns have an intrinsic value that can hardly be over-estimated. Further, the carcase of the shorthorn is always worth a good all round sum, and, in case of accident, the loss which her owner sustains is much less than that which falls upon the unfortunate owner of the Jersey which it becomes essential to slaughter."