THE DAIRY HERD

Northern Advocate, 23 June 1920, Page 2

THE DAIRY HERD

Ji is generally .recognised that science and industry must wor/k together, if we are to obtain the most beneficial and economical results. There is no industry that this applies to more than farming—stock-breeding in particular. One of our most advanced dairy farmers in this district, Mr George Hodgson, of Kaimamaku, came to recognise this fact some ten years ago, when he was dairying in the old-fashioned way. After making a careful study of facts that came under his notice, Mr Hodgson believed that much Letter results could be obtained from his herd if more attention were paid to the selection and breeding of stock. The Jerseys that Mr Hodgson had on 1 is farm had proved to him the most satisfactory for dairying purposes, and he decided then to confine all his attention to this breed, and to spare no expense in obtaining the very best. That the result has been- satisfactory will be amply proved to those interested by a visit of inspection to Mr Hodgson's farm. The whole success of this splendid herd is due to the fact that price has been no object in obtaining the best, and also that Mr Hodgson's wide and varied experience in these matters has stood him in good stead in selecting and mating his stock. The results shown in the tastefully got-up catalogue inserted in this issue are a practical proof of his success If forty-five of his cows for the month of March produced 16221bs of fat, or an average of 361bs per head, equivalent at Is 6d per lb to a value of £2 14s, what must their output have I been in the spring months? How j many cows in the district can equal ! Moiralcen giving now 721bs of milk per day, with 6.6 test? Not many; we venture to say. Take Dorothy Violet as another instance. Her output, of butter-fat for May was 64lbs, equivalent in value to £4 3f>s. These results do all the speaking chat is necessary.

Stud farming is being taken up extensively in other parts of New Zealand, but as yet there is not. neanly enough of it being lone in the North. It pays. We congritulate Mr Hodgson on his successful ten years' work, and trust that he will go on. reaping the reward to which hts industry entitles him. We furthermore hope that his excellent example will encourage others to adopt his methods.