FARM and DAIRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 August 1925, Page 13

FARM and DAIRY

NOTES BY THE WAY

So far as is known the Manutahi Co-operative Dairy Company holds the record of having the biggest output for the smallest number of suppliers. All have one or more big herds.

A great deal of controversy has been caused by the questions of culling and of rearing one’s own heifers and of the best method of rearing them. There are many opinions on these subjects.

One farmer of South Taranaki who rears a fair number of his best says his experience is that he has none as a rule to cull, because he finds that there are always a few dry, not coming in or with a bad quarter, and those he would otherwise cull go into the herd as replacements.

Dealing with the question of feeding of calves during the first few weeks, another successful farmer said it paid him well to give his calves eight pounds of new, milk for two months, say, about 5001bs, worth about 30s, and he got it back easily in the first year. He did not believe in whey. Then the calves went straight out into the grass. It was necessary to have the cows calving early, so as not to the young grass, which in the case of late calving would be missed.

“Hot water and elbow grease,” liberally and reguhlrly applied, were two of the salient ingredients in the prescription subscribed by a member of the Dairy Division staff when addressing shareholders at the annual meeting of the Tat,ua factory recently, as a remedy for much of the low grade milk (says the Dairyman). He was speaking in general, not specific terms. This is a cheap and effective remedy, which requires a fairly universal application as far as the many dairying districts of the Dominion are concerned. It would probably have been still better advice had the speaker said “boiling” water, for this has been strongly urged time and again, and farmers have been advised to instal a boiler, if they have not already one on the farm.

At the age of 15) years the great Shorthorn bull Gainford Marquis has died in Canada, where for years he was a premier show/' bull. He was also successful in Chicago. As a proof of how unreliable the tuberculin test is, this bull “reacted” twice in England, and was sold as a reactor. He lived to become Canada’s finest stud bull for 14 breeding seasons.

There are at present four Friesian cows in the St. Albans stud,. Geelong, giving up to 26) gallons of milk in the day. Two of these are New Zealandbred animals, and the others are May Queen 2nd and her daughter, St. Albans May Queen. On her third calf May Queen 2nd gave up to eight gallons of milk in the day, and in the 273 days she gave 1297 gallons of milk, testing 4-75 per cent and yielding 616)1b butter-fat, and was still milking over 3) gallons per day at the close of the test.

Some typical animals are shy breeders, arid the day is coming, said a man well versed in the subject, when a guarantee will need to be given that pedigrees sold have a virile strain.

On an Upper Murray run a few wild cattle—the “cleanskins” of old days—still frequent an outlying and difficult range. When a city visitor, who happens to be the champion shot of his rifle club, went to the station/ for a holiday and heard of the wild cattle, he was never content until they gave him a horse and rifle to have a. try for them. A wild cattle hunt was just the thing that appealed to him, yet, strangely enough, although he had some success, he never brags about it. It was near the end of the day before he sighted the first warrigal in thick scrub country, and, having stalked it with far less difficulty than he had been led to expect, he proved his prowess as a rifle shot by dropping one of the station milkers. Great interest is being take n by the various branches of the New Zealand Friesian Association in the Provincial Friesian Group Competition to b© held at the Royal Agricultural Society’s show at Christchurch an November. The teams are to consist of seven animals (2 males and 5 females) from each province, and the New Zealand Friesian Association has given £'so as prize money. All the provinces—Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland —will be represented. Selection Committees have been set up in, each province and the selection of the animals for the teams will be made at an early date. This compel t,it ion, the first of its kind to be held' in the Dominion, will bring together at tire Royal Show the finest gathering of prime-bred Fresians ever seen in this country. Taranaki breeders are being circularised asking for nominations of animals for the provincial team.

The following is a. list of BolsteinFriesian cows credited with productions of over 10001 b. butter-fat for last year: ’ Sparrow Hawk Johanna (1110.471 b), .Lulu Wayne of Annfiekl (1098.921 b), Nooksack Lunde Oregon Dekal (1088.211 b), Dutdhland Aaggie Olive (1057.19) Zaanpa Aurelia Segis Pontiac (1050.35), Stratford Pledge Dekol (1046. G 3), Yesletine Piebe (1046.45), Heim Stella Mead Segis (1037.65;, Chesney Freda Lothian (1036.96), Graham,holm Cola nth a Segis Maid (1033.28), Dutchland Creamclle Cornucopia (1027.33), Redfield Cblantha Alewin (1026.84), Lady Kerndyko Canary Johanna (100.10), Silda Creameile Johanna (1036.11), Ad iron-'-dac Weetske Dairy Maid (1005.82), Beauty Girl Gerben Re-Becky (1005.23), Helm Tehee -Fayno Veenian (1003.91), Helm Yeoman IV code rest (1033.86). !

N.Z. FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REPORT. In the annul report of the N.Z. Friesian Association, presented to the annual meeting in Auckland on Tuesday last, the following points of special interest to Taranaki breeders are quoted: In the 1924 Derby winners were the following Taranaki‘cows, with return of fat and percentage above' standard: G. A. Marchant and Sons’ Coldstream Pontiac Piebe, 635.9511? .fat, 164.4 per cent, above standard, and Westmere Piebe Rosine, 703.211b 1 and 163.9 per cent.; V. Marx’s Coldstream Favourite, 547.271 b and 127.5 per cent.; G. A. Marchant and: Sons’ Coldstream Pontiac princess 2nd, 453.601b' and 88.6 per cent. Messrs Marchant and Sons’ second cow was the junior two-year-old class leader.

During the year 52 Friesians were exported—lo to Victoria, 4 to New South Wales, 29 to Argentine, 7 to Fiji, and 2 to the Friend# Islands.

At a meeting of the executive committee of the New Zealand Friesian Association, held on August 5, it was decided to donate to the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association for their Exhibition Show on November 18 and 19 two 20-guinea, sterling silian bull and th© other for the chanian bull and the other for the champion Friesian cow —the cups to become the property of the winners ■ Great interest is being taken in all the provinces about the Provincial Friesian Group Championship (seven animals) at the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show in Christchurch in November. Southland , Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, Taranaki, 'and Auckland are all entering teams, and the result should be the finest gathering of Friesian pedigree stock ever shown in New Zealand. The South African Friesian Cattle Breeders’ Association has received advice that the necessary legislation providing for the interchange of stud stock between Great Britain and the Dominions lias passed the final stages in the British House of Commons and the House of Lords. The association is considering the question of sending a shipment of pedigree Friesians from South Africa to England in the near future.

A FINE RECORD. BY ALTON FACTORY MANAGER. During the course of his remarks at the annual meeting at Alton the chairman mentioned specially the great record 1 of trophies secured by die popular manager, Mr. A. C. Illingworth. The list is worth recapitulating : At Hamilton. —Lonsdale Cup, second for points prize (half a point behind), and second in Taranaki championship. At Wanganui.—Fresh Food and Ice Company’s Cup. At Hawera. —Lan© and Company’s Cup, S.S. and A. Cup, Rennet Company’s (a tie), L.K.G. Cup. Six gold medals and a large amount of cash prizes also came to him. it is a record of which any company could bo proud. ■AN ENGLISH GOLD MEDALIST. “Fairlawne Hussy,” an English Jersey cow owned by the well-known lady Jersey enthusiast, Mrs. Evelyn, Wotton House. Dorking, Surrey, by winning a gold medal at the Royal Countries Show this year, lias broken all previous records, being the only eow that has ever won five gold medals. At Portsmouth she gained 57.7 points having made 3 lbs. 1-J ozs butter from 55) lbs. of milk 120 days after calving. In her last lactation period sh© yielded 13,490), lbs. of milk and 661.76 lbs. of butterfat in 345) days; while with her first six calves she has averaged 10,915) lbs. milk. Besides winning the five gold medals already ' mentioned above, Fairlawne Hussy has also won 4 silver and 3 bronze medals in milking trials and butter tests. VAGINITIS. Talking the other day ol' the disease vaginitis, .Mr, Fordi described it as an i n flaimimialtion of the vaginal tract, ns faiiinly common, and affects many cows, but it is generally considered 1 not dangerous. Good results towards getting rid of lit airo secured by .ai weak solution of bluesitono used to wash out the vagina. The bull should he kept away for a week or two, because the trouble may be passed on thereby. This is esipeoilialy the case with, young bulls. But, said Mr. Ford, there iis none of wihaiti is called true vaginitis in the country. KRAFT PROCESS CHEESE MANUFACTURE. “.Development of the Kraift process in the manufacture of cheese was classed (by J. A. Ruddick, Diaiiry tarid Cold ‘Storage Cbimani&siioner, speaking before the Riotary Clluib, as the best thing that has happened in the trade for yeans, inasmuch as it has meant the opening of new markets to Canadian cheese, and within recent months hais 'added several cents to the market price of that commodity. At the rate alt which the Kraft cheese trade was being developed he said that it wpuld not be long before it would absorb all the cheese produced' in Canada, but for the probability that Old Country manufacturers would also eniter i.t. Mr. Rmddiick islaw no ground for apprehension in the decline in the production of cheese from the high mark registered in 1904. He believed that iff wiais a most fortunate tilling that such a circumstance had taken place, because if that high mark had been maintained the market would be oversulppliedi (and (the price- lloiwer. It meant simply that the milk formerly made into cheese had been diverted into other channels.'’ SLIMY MILK.

In several parts of the province slimy milk gave trouble last year and great difficulty was experienced in dealing ■with it.‘At one factory a Departmental officer wialsi out far several days, and it was reported at the annual meeting that the trouble disappeared as suddenly as it came.

It is said to have been more prevalent in country low lying or where there was iswamipy land, and this was attributed to bad weather. But tlie first mentioned case was in extra hilly country. Hiscussing the question at one annual meeting recently, the manager of tlie factory gave several hints that are well worth notice by dairy farmers. He said a good deal of the trouble could' he traced to want of care of the machines, and urged the running of cold water through the pipes before use and the washing down as spoil as possible after milking. He considered, however, that lime water put through the machine would be the most effective remedy. In on© case, he added, the trouble had been traced to one ilieird, and dn that milking slied it was found that one small part, a rubber connection, was alone the cause. He considered that there was more with machine than with hand milking. SALVATION ARMY’S FARM.

Work of importance is being carried on by the Salvation Army at its farm at Putaruru. The farm, consisting of 2,003 acres, was given to the Army about five years ago by Mr. Ewen McGregor, of Hamilton, and Mr. W. G. Alexander, of Putaruru. There are two establishments, one with accommodation for 80 orphans or semi-orphans, and the other housing immigrant youths. There are 79 orphans. These children are being given a liberal education at the farm school, and are taught useful pursuits. Immigrant youths of from 16 to 19 years: of age are received on the farm,

and are maintained there for from thre© to six months. They are taught the rudiments of farming, bow to milk cows and how to manage horses, and how to make themselves generally useful to their future employers. One batch of 37 boys has passed through, and have been found employment at the rate of £1 per week and found. The Army officials keep a paternal eye on the lads> after they leave the establishment, and tli© manager, Mr. G. Fitness, states that he has been highly gratified with the success they have met with. The boys generally are of good physique, well behaved, and willing to learn. A total of 47 immigrant youths are at present housed on the farm. The officials have found a ready demand for the services of the boys, and are making preparations for the reception of further arrivals. 'Of the 2000 acres which comprise the farm. 700 acres have been tilled, and efforts have been concentrated on thoroughly farming this portion. Most of the area is in pasture. In the summer 14 acres of millet and maize was grown, while 68 acres were devoted to the growing of turnips. All the supplementary crops did well, especially the maize, which grew to an average of 12ft. in height, and the turnips, which were splendid. The manure used has been 2)cwt. of super, phosphate and guano to the acre, with a little blood and bon© added.

UNDER-FEEDING DAIRY COWS TOO PREVALENT. (Garden and Field.) There are on our dairy farms thousands of cows of 63001 b capacity, which are giving only 31501 b of milk supply because they are not fed enough to make the milk. They do not get a chance to show their full ability. It can be well said that a large number of cows of 95001 b capacity are giving only 63001 b of milk, which, if fed a sufficient and regular ration, would make, the higher production. They are ready to increase or double their milk if fed a larger ration, and they would do it much more economically than, they are producing now, for the very- good reason that there would be no tax or subtraction from the extra food on account of bodily maintenance. There are not many cows that could be brought from 31501 b up l to 95001 b in production by increasing the ration ; that can hardly be expected. We plainly say the ration of the cow should >e the limit she is able to use. The first need of an animal is to maintain its body in health and vigour, and! its food is" used for such before any of it can be utilised to produce milk. These requirements for maintenance are corn, paratively large for any animal, but when they have 'been supplied, all feed beyond this is available for the purpose for which the animal is kept, as milk i n dairy cows or growth in young animals. The more feed that corn be consumed and utilised above maintenance, therefore, tli© larger is the proportion of it going into useful production. . No dairy farmer can escape feeding a maintenance ration; the cow will see io that unless she is literal!' starved. We must feed *to keep her alive, but our direct and vital-interest is iu-feeding for milk. As there is no nrofit in maintenance —merely allowing enough feed for her physical ueeds —it is the dairyman’s problem to feed his cows, so that he will get the inost milk, because in this is the profit. A good' dairy cow, properly fed, is the most efficient animal to convert farm crops into human food 1 of high quality, yet many a. Cow is not paying for the feed given her simply because too large a _ proportion'of the scanty iced she receives goes for maintaining her body. To further illustrate: the same amount of feed is required to maintain a 10001 b cow- whether she is producing a small or. a large flow of milk. In a. given instance, a cow fed on a low ration used only 30 per cent, or the food over her bodily needs for the production of millc, while another cow fed voii a full liberal, ration to the limit of her proper use of the food showed that she used. 56 per cent, of the total food consumed m making.

milk. The full rafwm allowed a much larger proportion of the feed to he converted into milk at far less cost, because the maintenance cost was the same. To repeat, 30 per cent, only of the total ration in the first place went for milk, and 56 per cent, in the full ration. It could be likened to running a steam engine on half work: the cost of firing and! superintendence would be almost the same as when the engine was used to its full capacity. The ration, it must be understood, was suitably balanced to meet all the feed elements of the cow. It should be considered whether the efficient cow can use all her ability to produce milk upon the amount of ration fed, •above maintenance. It is of the greatest economic- importance to have the amount of the ration in balance with each animal’s needs and .capacity. High producing cows must be fed up to their ability for milk production, -but not beyond. The food consumed in a year for maintenance alone would, if used entirely on milk production, ; make over eight times the weight of the cow in milk. The only conclusion to be reached is better and more exact feeding of the cows after wise selection by dairymen.

DAIRY CONTROL IN AUSTRALIA. It is interesting to not© that in Australia the Dairy pontrol Board have adopted as plank® of their policy the withholding of supplies if considered necessary, and a Government guarantee for advances and the maintaining of the identity of Australian produce in the retail shops and among consumers. The co-operation of Australian and New Zealand London agencies is to be arranged. It may be of interest to recall that some years ago this procedure was strongly advocated in these columns as being a course of action that would give them both a very strong position. A circular issued b;v the Control Board in connection with the new insurance contract commencing on Monday next, August 31, indicates new licenses are being issued by the Minister to dairy companies or proprietors holding a license for marine insurance. The conditions are practically the same as now existing, and the full premiums for risk have to be paid buyer or con-’ signee in London from “in the factory.” In the case of f.o.b. sales the buyer would have the right to dehit the sellers with the portion of insurance from “in the factory” to “f.0.b.,” amounting to 2s per cent.