DAIRY INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20228, 12 April 1929, Page 17

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

SELECTION OF STOCK.

ECONOMICAL PRODUCERS.

The Dairy Cattle of New Zealand " was (ho subject of an address delivered at the last meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club by Mr. A. W. Green, of Hamilton, the, well-known farming expert. Ho said it was easy to prove that (he cow was the best animal for turning fodder inio products. From 1001b. of forage crops the dairy cow produced 1501b. of milk, which, at 4d per quart, worked out. Nt 20s. Not, everyone could sell the milk, and those who used it for (ho manufacture of butter would receive, on a 4-test., about 9s worth of butter from a similar quantity of fodder, while about 10s would be obtained by turning the milk into cheese.. Taking a sheep ior comparison, one found Iho return (from meat alone) much lower—about 4s worth at 6d per pound. Fat lambs, however, brought nearly as much return as the dairy cow, 1001b. of fodder yielding about 9s worth of lamb meat. As the labour required was less, fat lamhs were in many places supplanting dairy cattle. The production of beef would bring a return of about 3s 9d from the 1001b of fodder. The pig gave the next highest return to the cow, but had to receive special food.

The Various Breeds. Dealing with breeds, Mr. Green said the Jersey for about 200 years had been bred for butter-fat alone, and was designed for the single purpose. The dairy farmers of the world owed a great debt to the people of Jersey. For many years they had forbidden the importation of cattle, thus keeping the breed true to type and keeping out foot-and-mouth disease and tuberculosis. It was ascertained that certain strains of pedigree cattle would produce more heavily than other strains. Something could be done by testing, but this was comparatively slow, whereas the introduction of good strains produced immediate results.

The dual-purpose cow, the Shorthorn, said Mr. Green, had formerly been the most popular in New Zealand, and when Jerseys were, introduced it was found that the cross of the two breeds was very useful. " But," lie' added, "if you keep on breeding from crossbreds you get mongrels." On the other hand, it was necessary to keep the pedigree stock up to standard. Some of the pedigree cattle associations had a rule requiring inspection, and stipulating that no animal that was not up to standard in type, constitution and character could be listed in the herd book. This was the best, rule that could be adopted. Without setting up one breed as better than another, Mr. Green advised anyone who might take up a dairy farm to buy only one breed which he fancied and which was suited to the district. It was useless, after milking Jerseys for a number of years, to introduce ot/ier breeds. The Jerseys were suited to warm climates and good conditions. The Ayrshires were hardier and better suited to colder regions and poorer land.

The Cow to Choose,

In districts where there were cheese factories he would advise farmers to havo cows of low butter-fat test, as they wero best for cheese. Ho produced a diagram showing that there was only 71b. difference in the cheese produced from 5001b. of milk for 2-test and 5001b. of 4-test, the totals being 431b. and 501b. of cheese respectively. Shorthorns were best on farms of a fair size on which the steer calves could be reared. This year good steer calves in tho north had brought up lo £5 5s each.

Friesian cattle were excellent for cheese and also for dried milk and town supply. In the Friesian Herd Book there were pages and pages of names of cows that had given over 20,0001b. of milk a vear.

Jerseys averaged from 60001b. to 70001b. of milk a year, Ayrshires 70001b. to 30001b., and Shorthorns 80001k to 10.0001b. However, (he Jersey was an eminently successful cow for farmers producing for butter manufacture.