OUR DAIRY HERDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1180, 1 December 1924, Page 7

OUR DAIRY HERDS

“BEST IN THE WORLD.” COMPARISONS BY MR ROBERTSON. During 1 his recent visit to America, Mr C. E. Robertson made un inspection of the leading pedigree dairy cattle herds of both Canada and the United Stntes. Prominent American and Canadian breeders, importers and judges, as well us ollicials cf the pedigree stock registration societies, olVcred the visitor every hospitality and entertainment, and were extremely anxious to exchange views regarding the tims cf breeders in the respective countries. In the course of an interview Mr Robertson informed a Dominion reporter that New Zealand was particularly veil known in the dairying industry, especially in Canada, while the prominent pedigree breeders of tile United States held the achievements of Now Zealand br< edevs m the highest regard. A majority of these American breeders were plaining, on their next trip abroad to visit New Zealand, in order to see at first hand the stock of the country and the methods followed by Irt oilers. The breeders’ registration societies were tremendous organisations with incomes running into thousands of pounds. These societies each maintained an extensive department, whose special work was to advertise the merits of their particular breed. The incomes of these soc.eties were enormous, and some of the leading officials received salaries ranging from £3OOO to £SOOO. AMERICAN IIER1) STANDARDS. Regarding the standard of flic herds and the reputation of high-priced animals. Mr Robertson found that n great many herds and sires which were boomed in the press o 7 the United States were of disappointing quality. There were, however, inwvidual animals of the Jersey, Friesian and Ayrshire breeds of an exceptional standard, hut very few of these were males, judged by New Zealand standards, iho American Jersey breeders had attained the highest level. This undoubtedly was due to the fact that, for many years past- America had imported practically every noted animal bred on Jersey Island, arid the claim of American breeders that they now had the finest Jerseys in the world v.as undoubtedly warranted. The breeders of Jersey Island did not. depend on their cattle for their livelihood, hut upon market gardening, which was probably the reason they hud parted with their best. PRICE NO OBJECT. Mr Robertson stated that the bleeding of dairy cattle of the various purebred races had developed into a vast business One firm of importers-of Jersey cattle had an annual turnover of a million collars. But, despite the opportunity given tlie imported stock, cattle bred in America were winning the principal honours at the shows and in the tests. Mr Robertson saw must of the famous show winners and butter-fat producers, including the worlds champions and the latest American national dairy show champions of all breeds, t rom the point of view of dairy quality, not one of these show champions was particularly impressive. Prices were exceptionally high for proven sires or for cattle classed us likely show winners, and ut the recent sales BCOQ dollars was paid for such a cow of the Jersey breed. Mr Robertson stated he did not like this cow, as she was fleshy both of form and udder. Many wealthy men were engaging in breeding and had erected palatial barns and equipment. One set of buildings visited bad cost a million dollars. Price was of little object to these men once their interest was aroused m a particular annual. On one occasion 102.000 dollais was paid for a Friesian bull. Mr Robertson saw many of this bull’s descendants, but they were not high-class. r \ his bull was purchased by a- very wealthy man who had since learned by experience and now owned a really high-class herd.

FRIESIANS DISAPPOINTING. Mr Robertson said lie was rather disappointed with the Friesian cattle in _ the United States which, although comprising 60 per cent, of the pedigree dairy stock of that country, contained a great proportion of very ordinary cattle. 'I he Canadian Friesians left a much better impression. The black and whites' seemed to be the universal dairy cow for the farm in that country, but despite the tremendous numbers of black and whiles comparatively the Jersey was making the most progress in the United States. The Canadian Friesians were stronger in utility points they had the appearance of being built for the farmer’s use and profit, and were more the type aimed at in New Zealand. The American Friesian was generally long and lanky with a poor udder and not of the deep-bodied, thrifty type that had proved to be tho most profitable under ordinary farm conditions. Wealthy men dominating a breed were apparently not in its best interest. Thev were too apt. to overlook tho fundamental fact that the cow was not an ornament to look at or a, plaything to make sentimental milk records with, hut must be capable of returning a. substantial protit to her owner over and above her keep. Dairy cows of all breeds were maintained under wonderful conditions, and were the constant care of high-priced experts whose sole business it was to force high records from them- by scientific feeding. Practically evoiy butter-fat record held in America was secured by milking the cows throughout the year every six hours. The best American performers for a cow milked twice per dav was only a little over BCOlb. butter-fat, whereas in New Zealand -it was over 10001 b. butter-fat. GOOD BREEDING BULLS SCARCE. A noticeable weakness in the United States was the scarcity of good breeding bulls of any breed, and some of the great herds were in sore straits for want of a really good herd leader. Very few of then show champions were successful sires. In a country where the purebred dairy stock ran into the millions this pointed to a grave weakness in their system of judging. A tho present time tho heavier conditioned unimals which looked tho smoothest in body were winning. Preparing animals for the shows had also become a great art Utility was kept too much in the background. Sleekness, and what was termed brush, „ained more credit than essentials, this wa3 exemplilied in the work of what was known as the true-type committee, a chosen body of judges and breeders, who, alter a year’s special study, had defined an ideal. The illustrations of this ideal presented a very handsome animal, but Uie sculptured model accepted by the committee and distributed to agricultural colleges and to breeders exhibited an animal weak in the under jaw. One of the most, prominent breeders there had told him ho had never heard an animal criticised in that way before.

DOMINION’S STANDARD COW SUPREME. Mr Robertson concluded by indicating that his observations in the countries of America made it quite clear that tho standard dairy cow of New Zealand was not approached in any other country either for her constitutional power, or her ability as a profitmiaker on the farm. New Zealand hud earned for herself tho title, of “the dairy farm of the Empire,” but she was destined to become the stud stock farm of the world. Much credit was due to the enterprise of their breeders who had imported the best stock the Old World could produce, and for the skill they, had since shown in improving upon existing types. Environment was, however, the greatest factor. The Dominion’s climatic conditions enabled stock to bo kept in the open the year through, thus developing consituation and thriftiness, and the long-grow-ing season in comparison to that of other countries developed greater capacity. These combined circumstances enabled them to produce the most profitable types of animals. An export trade which would become of verv great value to the Dominion was gradually being built up, but at present Tittle was being done to advertise the merits of tho stook produced. It must be realised that New Zealand was competing against other countries for this trade.