FARMERS’ AND FARMERS’ UNION COLUMN.

Northland Age, Volume 19, Issue 34, 24 November 1921, Page 5

FARMERS’ AND FARMERS’ UNION COLUMN.

THE JERSEY BREED. The people of Jersey hind sp->t practically the whole of their time 1 breeding the famous strain of cattle named ;Y.er the Island. For the past 200 ,years no other cattle had been allowed on the Island, unless for beef purposes, and once a beast left the island it was not allowed to return, no matter how valuable it might be. By such scrupulus care in specialisation a very fine and desirable type of dairy animal had been evolved — an animal'supremely suitable for the production of butter-fat. There was only one older pure-bred strain in the world, these being a type peculiar to the uplands of India. On Jersey Island, which was only some 12 miles wide, the strain had been kept pure, and quarterly shows were held whereat the friendly rivalry induced a high state of excellence. There were three classes, namely, jhe foundation stock, which every breeder must have; the “commended,” and the “highly commended,” the latter being of great value, even up to £3OOO for a single animal. The cattle were not run loose in paddocks as ours were, but were tethered in the same manner as we tethered goats, and consequently they were very docile and manageable. THE FARMER’S COW. The Ayrshire breed, spread, as it is, all over the globe, has had to make its way on merit alone; the breed has not been fortunate in having as its sponsors the wealthy and titled gentry of any land. But merit will in time get to the top, and the recent recognition of the breed by His Majesty the King is a timely tribute to the value of the great Scottish breed of dairy cattle. The “N. B. Agriculturist” comments favourably on the King’s purchases. The six Ayrshires are likely to prove highly successful in the Royal dairy at Balmoral. Perhaps now that the useful Scottish breed has received this striking tribute to their excellence as dairy cattle, others may be induced to follow the example of His Majesty the King, and give them a place in their dairies.