KEEPING UP DAIRY STOCK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1630, 26 August 1871, Page 4

KEEPING UP DAIRY STOCK.

(The Farnh-r. ) Although the demand for dairy cows becomes greater every yenv, but little attention is paid to breeding them. As a rule, the patrons of cheese factories, and the farmers who send their milk to town to be sold, and who are supposed to have the best milking stock, never raise a calf. In truth, gestation is only allowed for the purpose of enabling the cow to renew her supply of milk. The progeny lives only to suckle her while her milk is unsuitable as an article of human food. In some few instances its life is spared till its rennet is in a condition to use for a curd. Thus years go by, and a, dairy of fifty cows, selected for their milking qualities, have raised no calves. When these cows become too old to produce a good supply of milk, they are sold or fattened for beef, and their places are supplied by cows raised by neighbouring farmers.

Tims it would seem the best dairy stock of the country is in course of gradual extinction. What extra milkers are produced are the results of accident or sport, since very few are taking any pains to raise stock from those animals in which the hereditary milking qualities are strong. Among grade cattle, size and symmetry are the only points from which animals are selected for breeding from. Even in those breeds of cattle that are famous as milkers, as the Ayrshires and Alderneys, little pains is taken ordinarily to keep up the milking qualities of the race. In order to do this, it would seem to be necessary to let the calves suck a long time, and thus protract the season of giving milk. This practice, however, would interfere with keeping the cows in the ilesh that is desired in order to exhibit them at fairs, or to have them in good condition to sell.

It is certainly to be regretted that more care is not taken to improve the milking qualities of our stock. Extra milkers should be kept to breed from ; their milk not taken so long or in such quantities that they abort their calves, neither should their progeny be killed at such an early age that it is thrown on the dung

hill, in order that all the milk of the dam may go to the market or cheese factory. It is quite as necessary to raise the calves of good milkers in order to have another race of good milkers, as it is to raise the colts of fine trotters in order to have fast horses. Even dairy stock ■would bring fancy prices in the market if their milking qualities could be vouched for.