The Dairy Cow.

Opunake Times, Volume VIII, Issue 356, 8 February 1898, Page 4

The Dairy Cow.

A correspondent of the "Mark Lane Express " refers to a new way of distinguishing whether a cow is a valuable milk producer or otherwise, ffp pa yq.—" As science advances, more and more attention is given to details, and it is found that often what are popularly considered to be very minor points turn out to be something of the greatest importance. As is-well known in farming, to produce a good milker is considered to be somewhat of a lottery, and many a calf is reared for dairy purposes that would have been more profitably converted into beef. Now, how are we to pick out these ? I glean from a Swedish daily newspaper—" Mejenernas Annonsblad "—that a discovery has recently been made, the truth of which has been proved by a first-class veterinarian, that makes it possible at the birth of a calf to judge if it will become a good milk cow or not. It has been observed that the palps that are on the inner side of the cheeks near the corner of- the mouth, have different forms, according to whether the animal is a good, a middle class, or a very indifferent milker. The palps being large, broad and flat, denote that the animal gives a large quantity of milk. If they are only round the milk qualities are of the most ordinary description, while if they are pointed the milk yield is of a most wretched description. Here is a chance for some English farmer, who keeps a record of the milk production of each cow, to put this statement to the test." As far as we are aware, this is an entirely novel way of telling a good cow, and it would be interesting if New Zealand breeders would test the matter for themselves. If the actual value of the animal in the dairy herd can be determined at the date of birth, it will work a revolution in cattle breeding that will be far reaching in its results, and must have an important bearing upon the industry.