PRACTICAL DAIRY FARMER

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1511, 14 February 1901, Page 51

PRACTICAL DAIRY FARMER

It has been found from repeated experiments that the best results in bacon production are obtainable where mixed rations of grain food, such as oats, peas, barley, and maize meal are employed in preference to one or other of these foods by itself. Rations, consisting of equal quantities of these grains, one quarter of each, are found conducive to the production of bacon of tire very best quality.

. * . * * •* Aii American contemporary tells of a creamery manager that wanted to stimulate the patrons of liis creamery to produce more and better milk. He called them together, and told them that it they desired it he would publish an annual report giving the details of the business, showing just how much each man had received for his milk, what per cent, of fat it contained according to the Babcock test, and just how many cows each man had used in the production of his milk. At the next meeting the patrons voted not to have the report. The good dairymen were afraid the poor ones would learn how they did it, and the poor ones were "ashamed to have their records known. Publicity is one of the surest ways of getting better conditions, but a good many men are afraid of publicity.

* * * # In the bulletin-of the United States department of Agriculture on “The Dairy Herd,” Major Alvord relates the following:—“A dairyman of wide reputation, president of a state association for years, concluded to adopt the daily milk record rather because of those who advocated it than of any conviction of needing it himself. His herd was of his own breeding, he had handled every cow from its birth, and he and his sons did the milking. Before beginning the record he made note—for the joint opinion of himself and his sons—as to the half-dozen best cows in the herd, and an estimate of their season’s milk yield. When the year’s record was completed it was found that in order of actual merit the cows stood as follows:—The best cow was the fifth estimate ; the second, a cow not on the list; the third was the fourth on the list; the fourth was he first; the frxth was his sixth, a cow not in the estimate ; and his second anct third in previous estimates were aivay down on the list. These facts were borne out by subseauent records, and the man, who had called himself a dairyman, was forced to the conclusion that one-fourth of his cows were being kept at an actual loss, while the others barely paid their way,” * * * * *

The question of odour in milk is one that has long disturbed dairymen and scientists interested an dairy subjects. Some have claimed that the odours were due to food that the cows received, while others have been just as positive that the odours did not go through the

cows, but got into the milk from some other source—from the odours of stuff left around in the stable in which the cows were milked. The contentions have been sometimes fierce. The experiment stations have paid little attention to the subject, though it is a subject that would appear easy of solution. At last an experiment station in Canada has taken up the question, and has actually made a test to set the matter straight. Turnips were kept in the stable where the cows were being milked for some time, but no turnip flavour was detected in the milk. The inference is that the flavour must come through the cow. Of course, say the “Farmers’ Review,” it-' is not possible to build a conclusion of the matter out of a single experiment, but even one experiment indicates something.

A recently issued bulletin by the Dairy Division of the Cornell University Experimental Station gives an account of the examination by Mr A. R. Ward, partly in association with Dr Moore, of the udders of nineteen cows, in order to ascertain whether bacteria are to be found in apparently healthy udders, which might contaminate milk. The animals were slaughtered as tuberculous, but the udders were free from disease. The conclusions are stated as follows: “1. The lactiferous ducts of the nineteen udders examined harbor bacteria throughout their whole extent. 2. Our present knowledge concerning the place at which bacteria first gained access to milk should be expressed somewhat as follows: Milk when secreted by the glands of the healthy udder is sterile. It may, however, immediately become contaminated by the bacteria which are normally present in the smaller milk ducts of the udder. 3. The bacteria so far found in the interior of the udder apparently clo not affect milk seriously. This, however, does not preclude the probability that forms more injurious to milk may invade the udder. 4-. The constant contamination of milk from the udder suggests an explanation for the frequent occurrence of certain ‘dairy bacteria’ in milk. 5. A study of the anatomy of the udder fails to disclose structural features which could prevent the invasion by bacteria.”

* * . * * * A field for maize should be ploughed deep enough to furnish plenty of good fine soil to cover the grain in good shape. Then it should be worked often enough to make the ground smooth and fine. It should be worked crosswise enough to fill up the dead-furrows. A cornfield so treat©- before planting is half-tend-ed. It marks out easier and plainer. Rows can be made nearer and straight, and can be followed better while planting. Corn will come up quicker, grow faster, keep ahead of th e weeds better, get ripe sooner, and make more bushels to the acre. Three extra days on ten acres preparing the ground for the seed will produce all the above results. •Jf # * * *

During the past- 10 years observations on the period of gestation have been made on all cows in the herd at Cornwall University, and the results are given: —ln all 194 observations were made ; of those nine terminated in the dropping of dead calves prior to 253 days of pregnancy, and three more were doubtful, as only 182 were considered normal. The summary of results shows that of 182 births, the average period of gestation was almost exactly 280 days. The shortest period was 264 days, the longest 296. Approximately equal numbers of births occurred on each day from the 274th day to the 287th inclusive. The period of gestation where twins were born was five days less than the average of the single births of the same cows. Many cows show a wellmarked individual characteristic as to period of gestation. *****

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland has published a scheme for encouraging improvement in the breeds of cattle in that country for the year 1901. The sum to be provided by the department under this scheme will depend on the amount provided in aid of the scheme by local authorities or from local sources, as well as on the special needs of the locality. In the absence of any special circumstances, the money available for premiums and prizes is to be apportioned as follows:—At least 60 per cent, shall be allocated for premiums for bulls, and the remainder may be given in prizes for cows, heifers and calves, spec-

ial provision being included for prizes for dairy cows. For the purpose of th,® scheme awards of prizes for coyvs, heifers and calves shall be made at local shows. approved by the department. Bulls to receive premiums shall be selected at spring shows. A bull which lias been awarded a premium out of the public funds administered by the Royal Dublin Society shall not be" eligible in the same year for a premium under this scheme. The value of a premium will be £8 for Kerries and Dexters, and £l2 for other approved breeds.

An American dairy journal draws attention to a. side of the question of breeding for milk which is not often considered 1 by breeders. It is well known to every breeder that however carefully he may breed his stock there are occasions when the offspring will turn out entirely different to the parents. This is explained by what is called atavism, or reversion to distant inferior ancestor, a theory not yet properly understood. There seems no doubt, either, that excitement of the dam’s imagination during the period of gestation has an influence on the offspring. Anything she sees often, especially animals of her own species, may make an impression on her, and also on the offspring when it is born. In most cases the tendency is internal, and in the case of cows may be seen in a lessened milk yield. The feeding of the dam during the period of gestation nas, it is asserted, much influence on the offspring, and the poor condition of cows during the few months before calving, being fed on dry foods, explains why in many cases the calves prove inferior milkers to their mother’s. The evident moral of this is to feed the cows on good, succulent food, and not adopt the practice that very often maintains of feeding "the cows during the time they are off -milk on anything that- will keep them living. The cows should be kept in good condition and in warm quarters, though they should not be allorved t-o get fat. There is always the difficulty, however, with a. prolific milker. It is absolutely necessary' to decrease the quality of the food to get the cow dry and give her' the necessary rest before calving, or even running the risk of ruining her milking qualities prematurely.