BUYING A COW.

Lake County Press, Issue 2669, 15 February 1917, Page 5

BUYING A COW.

The value of cow testing association records, or even of private herd records, is not limited to their use by the owners in improving their Lords, although this is undoubtedly the primiry object. A reeout conversation with a dairyman who was in the market for high grade dairy cows, brought out a second reason for such records, or rather emphasised it, because the reason itself was not new. This mao, while a fair judge c£ cattle, was not at all anxious to risk his money on judgment which was based only on the physical conformation of a cow. He wanted to know what she had accomplished, as well as how she looked. Said be, “ I am just a little suspicious when a man, who has advertised first class, high grade cattle for sale, and lakes me down a long row of stanchioned cattle, and points out two or three individuals a.* the only ones he cares to sell. Thost may bo good animals as far as confor matron is concerned, and are perhap; profitable producers, even though lot' profitable than the others, hut I war to bo sure of this last. If that ma r could prove to me through cow testing association records, or well-kept privaio fiord records, that those cows have been profitable producers, I am willing, and,

| in fact, just now am eager to buy at a fair price, but the trouble is I can’t find such an opportunity.” That buyer’s statement emphasises what we have always maintained; namely, that while good conformation in a dairy cow is always desirable, and to quite an extent does indicate her capabilities, yet the final judgment should bo based largely on the record sheet Moreover, it is an added proof that herd records, whether private or kept by an association, are a distinct asset to the dairy-man.-Hoard’s Dairyman.