THE DUTCH BELTED COW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2199, 1 October 1907, Page 1

THE DUTCH BELTED COW.

The picturesque Dutch Bolted cow spreads very slowly from her home in the Netherlands. In Australia and New Zealand she is a stranger, but with so pronounced a run on new breeds in these. States she is likely to be introduced to us at any timo. The breed was taken to the United States about 75 years ago, but has made very slow progress, and it would appear that it is not- characterised by any special qualities which make it a favourite over other dairy breeds. In weight the Dutch Belted cattle are about equal to the Ayrshire, and are more active and less gaunt in appearance than their cousins the Holstoins. They are deep ■milkers, but their product is low in butter fat. Crossed with other breeds they throw excellent dairy stock, and this is often done to improve the quality of their milk. -An interesting feature about tho Dutch grades is that they almost invariably carry the white belt, irrespective of the colour of the rest of the body, and it is not uncommon to see a herd of reds, blacks, and roans bearing the distinctive circles. Within the past few years we have seen tho Guernsey, the Dexter-Kerries, and the Holstein introduced into our dairies, and it is quite feasible that an enterprising breeder will one day import the nucleus of a bolted stud from Holland,