AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20304, 11 July 1929, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.

Mr. George Slubhs. of Ilawera. who has retired from his .position as secretary of the Wairnate Plains Dairy Company, was farewelled by the stall and presented with a gold pencil as a marl: of esteem.

The Aberdeen Angus Brooders' Association has notified the Danncvirke Agricultural and Pastoral Society that it has allocated the Association's Challenge Cup fur group (one male and one female) class for competition at the next show. The exhibits must be two years old or upward.

In connection with the Southland Banners' visit to Hastings, the Farmers' Union has arranged a comprehensive scheme for their entertainment when they arrive on July 13. On Monday morning, after the civic reception, the visitors will proceed to inspect the stud at Maraekakaho Station. Several other interesting and instructive trips have been arranged.

Tlic greatest Canadian family from a combined show ling and production standpoint is that founded by the great cow, Paulino- Colanthu Posch, practically the whole family have been great show ring winners. Count Paul Posch, a .son of Pauline Colantha Posch, was the sire of Abbekerk Heinkc (over 50.0001b. milk and 11001b. fat 011 three times a day milking, and reserve all-American aged cow in 1925).

It is of interest to note that Rose vale Queen Sylvia Triumph, a granddaughter of Rosevalc Korndvke Sylvia Posch. and sired by a son of Rosevale King Sylvia, made records of -98611). and 10551b. fat (2nd class) at 5 and 6 years of age. Descendants of this famous old cow are now scattered throughout New Zealand and it would be fairly safe to say that mo»e than half the Friesian herds in this country have some of her blood.

The Canadian Friesian cow. Agassi/. Pietjc 3ilka Sylvia (Inka Svlvia Bee:s Posch —Pietje * Piiseilla Mechliiikle}, owned by the Agassi?. Experimental Farms. British Columbia, recently' completed an official production record of 29,0121b. milk and 12571b. butter-fa!, her average test being <1.33 per cent. Iter sire, lnka Sylvia Beets Posch, was the sire of Messrs. 11. North and Sous' world's champion "long-distance" cow, Burkevjo Sylvia Posch, whose descendants have made exceptional records in all part of New Zealand and in Australia.

The following drench for cows is strongly recommended by a member of the Xew Zealand Friesian Association, one who has had over 30 years' practical experience among cattle. From one to two gallons milk, according to the size of the cow, from one to two tablespoonfill of ginger, bib. molasses. This is an excellent drench for a cow that is " oil

colour," and is specially good for a cow just after an attack of milk fever. If it is feared that a cow will get' milk fever, the drench should be given about 21 hours before calving. If colostrum (beestings) is used, the drench is made more effective.

The Bosch family lias certainly had a prosit iiifluoTii'O on tlic Friesian breed in New Zealand. Knrkoyje Sylvia l'.)f?li, this champion long-distance daughter of (he hull. Ink:i Sylvia Beets Bosch, was tested seven times and made records up to 98311'. of fat. Her daughters have all inado good records, .and two ol her sons are probably tlio leading hulls ill New Zealand, so "far as tested daughters arcs concerned. Kosevale Korndyko Sylvia Bosch, lior oldest son, has fested daughters as followsKosevale Gladys Posch, 940.451 U. fat; Kosevale Queen Dajihne, 305.541b. fat; Kosevale Sylvia Keves, 777.231b. fat; Kosevale lsobel, 773 321b. fat; also several others over 7001b. fat.

The experience of a Thames Valley farmer this season will convey a little how 11 io economic position is affected by mammitis, which ranks with vaginitis and abortion as the most set-ions complaint dairy farmers have to meet with, llis herd is a, large one, of good quality, the;;' being 240 head, writes "the correspondei:? of the Hehald. Thirty of the cattle. 12!- per cent., contracted mannnitis and had to bo put out. Tlio average cost «»f these cows, which were among the best m its herd, was £l2, and as culls they brought, only from £3 to .14. Jims the direct loss was £270. Far more serious than this, however, was the loss m butteifat As iho cows contracted ma mini Is within two months of calving a season s milking was lost. An estimate of the loss in butter-fat was 50001b., which, at Is M per lb. is the equivalent of £375 Ihns the total loss in this herd was £645. io those not closely associated wjh thoju ju ing industry the prevalence of disease dairy stock is not fully comprehended^