SUCCESSFUL DAIRYING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 9

SUCCESSFUL DAIRYING.

" In the course of the many regent agitations and disagreements over milk prices, one foot has been repeatedly brought out-* that farmers do not know how much ij costs to produce milk. The city busineH man who never owned a farm points ouv with a show of business knowledge, that all that is necessary is to know how much. miU| is produced and what it costs to maintain the herd,. The first is easy, but when half a dozen products are sold from the farm it is exceedingly difficult to determine what it really costa to maintain the herd. Atf can agree, however, on one part of the question—that the average amount of millf produced for each cow is one of the mail) iaotors in determining the cost.'* As pointed out by Mr Eckles in an American paper, the average amount of milk produced for each cow depends upon two fab* tors. The first is the capactiy of the maohino —in other words, the dairy capacity, of the cow | the second is the manner in which the machine is used, and this depends upon the skill of the owner in feeding and managing his herd. .The first question that confronts thf beginner is that of selecting his cow—thas is, getting an efficient machine And he never gets through with that question, for the entire herd haa to be replaced on the average of once in every five years. To maintain the herd, for each 10 cows on the average two heifers must come into milk each year 1 there will be two yearlingi and two heifer calves to be raised. M» Eckles remarks that this question of gefc ting the right individual cows to workwith is as much trouble to the farmer a* finding competent clerks is to the merchant or employing satisfactory workmen to the manufacturer. Since the margin of profif in the production of dairy products haJ narrowed to the point of threatened elimination, the dairy farmer has begun to realise that it is. hot sufficient to select oows merely because they are cheap oi because they happen to belong to his favourite breed. Every dairy farmer who has remain-id long in the business has developed some ideas about culling out the unprofitable cows. Why are not all cows of any special dairy bred good,.profitable;animals? Mr Eckles's answer is Wat, ."■ cows have to be selected individually because; they are-not all born alike. Using ' for dairy purposes, merely because she happens to be a female of the bovine species, is about as sensible as it would be to select a President by drawing a name from a box containing the names of all the men in the country. Under present conditions not more than two cows out of .every three raised are worth keeping in the herd. With all the advances that have been made in breeding, no one has yet found out how to breed all good cows."

The possibility of extremes in production even within the same breed and in the 1 same herd was shown in a striking manner by two Jersey cows raised in the herd of the Missouri. Agricultural College the sama year. They were by the same bull, and were both registered cows. Tho inferior cow was kept for a term of years for experimental purposes, and an as excellent object-lesson for students of what not to have. The good cow averaged 79131 b. of milk and 4131 b fat each year for three years. Her half-sister the same three years averaged. 22241 bof milk and 1091 bof fat - for each- year. Their ration when in milk' 1 was the same; amount.

The advantage of increasing the average .:■ production by culling but the inferior animals was shown by the Jackson, County ' (Missouri) Cow-testing Association. This co-operative organisation has been in operation three years. The men whoseherds have been under tests have increased the average yearly production of their herds 16051 bof milk and 80.71 bof fat during the three years. The increased profit for each cow was a shade under sdol (20s) a year. In the entire association more than 10 per cert, of the cows were eliminated each year as unprofitable. Suppose we accept as an established'fact that the cow must be selected as an individual. The logioal thing -is to ask next the questions: What is the cause of such extreme variations in the dairy qualities of cows even within the same breed? Is it ' the result of poor blood lines, or due tq some mistake made by the owner in not feeding or handling the cow in the prope* manner while young? In other words. is the good cow or the inferior oow bortt what she is or made what she is by the manner of raising? They are; questions not easy to settle. Mr Eckles states that he worried over them, as applied to dairy cows for several years, and finally conducted the only experiment of its kind vet made with dairy cattle. The tests covered nine yearr time, and included over 40 dairy animal* raised under different conditions. records" involved over 250,000 weights of, feed, milk and animals. Mr Eckles concluded that the high-class dairy cow or th« inferior one is born th<ifc way. She w not made what she is by the manner of raising or by any special treatment.' In 'fact, within anything like the limits of ordinary practice, the manner of feeding and the management of the heifer during the growing period have little relation to her/ dairy qualities when mature. It is possible, however, to influence to some extent the size of the animal when mature by the manner of feeding during tho growing period and the age at first calving. A BREEDING QUESTION. '

The above conclusions indicate that getting the most effioient cow is, after aU t a breeding question. There are two phases to the problem that might be pointed oui herewith advantage: The question of get* ting efficient cows for immediate use i| entirely one of selection. The question o$ having jrood young stuff coming on fo*' the future development of the herd is mostly a breeding, problem. ■ The breeding problem is primarily that of selecting thfli right bull to _ head, the herd. Mr Ecklef gives one striking example.. The first fibt daughters of Sultana's Virginia I*ad, 4 Jersay bull, now owned, in the nerd of th« Missouri Agricultural College, nave 1 , aa twe* year-old 3, averaged 88841 b of milk and 4971&' of fat. This production exceeds thafc of. their mother* 89 per cen.l In butter-fat, aM'

the eame age, and their mothers-, were counted reasonably good cows. Contrast this with the daughters of Brown Bessie's Registrar, used in the same h,erd a few yowrs ago. His first five daughters to XT»%h«u fell 29 per cent, behind their dams at tho same ago. Tho axiom of the old breeders that the bull is half the herd is based upon the results of generations of breeding experience, and can be proved by e-speTimontal data. To the beginner the question of breed W»om3 up as one of tho most important, knd it is often given undue prominence. are, to bo sure, certain conditions iiiAb make it easier to succeed with one tweedy than . wtih another. If a farmer is dairying in a locality where milk is sold by weight or measure regardless of fat test, {t is certain he cannot afford a breed producing .5 per cent, rnilk. Where milk is eo!d by fat test, or where cream is sold and skim-milk used for feeding, there is practically no breed difference in the «oonomy of production. '■■ Tho common idea that one breed uses feoo! more efficiently than another, the efficient breed Always being the one owned by the speaker? or writer, has practically nothing to support it. Mr Eckles has made digestion trials with four breeds of dairy Qowa, and found almost identical powers of 'digestion. It is true that, on the average, a cow of a small breed giving rich milk I)roduces a pound of fat at a slightly ower feed cost; and the explanation is merely that tho feed necessary to maintain the animal is less with the small cow.

OTAGO RAM 4ND EWE FA?R.

This annual fixture was held in the BurnBide Saleyard3 on the Ist of April under the euspices of the Otago A. and P. Society, There was a good attendance of farmers and pastoralists from all parts of Otago, North Otago, and Southland. Entries were received from the leading breeders of Border Leicesters, Romneys, Corriedales, Lincolns, and half-breed sheep, and a wide selection was ftffered for salo. The total number of sheetr entered was 1553, u« compared with 1873 last year. The prices for stud Border Leicester 3 were considerably less than those obtained last year. There waa a good demand for jjtomney stud rams and •Corriednle stud JPWllfl.

• The new arrangements, wliereby the sheep were driven as required into a common sale ring, thus abolishing tho old system of buyers having to - move from pen to pen, were , greatly « appreciated, and assisted materially in the lots being auctioned with expedition. Owing to the fall in prices for sheep all ovtr the country the reflex was naturally seen in the pnees realised for stud and flock rams. The prices obtained for Border Leicester stud rams ranged from six guineas up to 41 guineas. Tho latter prico was obtained for a ram on account of Mr T. S. Little, of Windsor Tho prices for Romney Marsh stud rams ranged from eight guineas up to 36 guineas, tho latter being obtained for a ram bred by Mr W. Perry, of Masterton, and sold on account of Mr W. A. Baxter, of Kelso. The prices obtained for Corriedale stud rams ranged >!rom. eight up to 15 guineas. Tho latter price was secured for a pen of 12 rams on account of Mr Leonard White, of Rakaia A few liincoin ranis from the New Zealand and Australia Land Company's Moeraki Estate sold at nine and a-half guineas. .Down rams were not in request. Tho range of prices for the different breeds for last year and this year for stud rams were as follows: 1918. 1919. Guinea*. Guineas. Romneys 15 to 27 8 to 36 Border Leicestere ~ 12 to 30 6 to 41 Corriodales 10 to 30 8 to 15 Flock rams made tho following range of prices: 1918. 1919. i Guineas. Guineas Ronmeys .. .. .. 4 to 10 4 to 7' Border Leicestera .. 8$ to 7$ 2 to 4$ Corriedoles 5 to 14 6 to 7 Messrs Stronach, Morris, and Co. sold: For T. Henderson. (Abbot sford), 5 one-e'hear Romney rams 7gs; J, W. Blair (Outram), 10 one-shear rams 6gs; J. A Mathowson (Dunedin), 14 one-shear Border Leicester rams Sgsj A. J. Blakely (Amberley), 4 ©aioislbear rams 4|ga: James Glow (Moafrfel), 8 one-*hear xazm 2Jgs} E'wen, M'Lennan Berwick), 1 three-shear ram 2ge. The New Zealand Loan end Mercantile Agency Company sold: For Adam King (Stony Creek), shearling stud Romney rams 13ge, 26 one-«hear flock Romney rams 7ga to Bgs; James W. Blair (Outram), 10 one-

shear flock Bomney rams 6gs; David Sheddan (Toiio), 14 one-shear flock Eomney ranis 7gs to 7£gs; J. A. Mathewson' (Hcpehill), 15 one-shear flock Border Leicester rams 4ggs; William Grey (Milburn), 10 one-shear Border Leicester rarcis 3Jgs; James W. Blair, 10 one-shear Border Leicester rams 3Jgs;exeeutora late A. BT>adfield (Owaka), 10 Bordor Leicester rams; Leonard White (Brakaia), 15 two-tooth Corriedale rams CJgs. The National Mortgage and! Agency Company sold: For J. H. Murdoch (Toiro), 7 stud shearling rams to 17gs, 17 flock rams to 7gs; Jolm Miller (Maungatua), 5 do 7£gs, 5 do 7gs; Thomas Henderson (Green Islands 6 do 6£gs; J. W. Blair (Outrani), 10 do-Cgs; "William Causer (Mataura, Island), 7 do 3Vgs; D. G. Wright (Winslow), 2 do sL«gs; D. Murray (Clydevale), 14 two-shea<r do to 62gs; J. W. Blair (Outram),- 10 shearling Border Leicester rams to 4gs; David Murray (Clydevale), 6 shearling- do 3fgs; E. M'Lennan (Berwick), 5 do at quotations; James Smith (Greenfield)", ,18 do at quotations; Will iam Grey (Milburn), 11 do. a| quotations'; W. Waddell, 15 do at quotations; New Zealand and Australian Land Company (Hampden), 8 two-shear Lincoln rams to 9£g3. Messrs Donald Reid and Co., sold: For W. A. Baxter (Kelso), 1 stud two-shear Eomney jean 16Jga; B. Baird (Clarksville), 3 fURk four-shear Bordor Leicester rams 2Jgs; E. M'Lennan (Berwick), 5 flock one-shear Border Leioesters 3gs; A. J. Blakely (Amberley), 7 do 4Jgs; William. Grey (Milburn), 11 do 2Jgs; J. W. Blair (Outram), 10 do 2£gs; trustees late A. Bradfield (Owaka), 19 do at market rates; Adam King (Stoney Creek), 5 flock one-shear Bomney rams 7igs; W. Causer (Mataura Island), 10 do 3Jgs; John Wilson (Lauder), 26 do SJgs; Mrs James Fulton (Ravcnscliff), 7 flock two-shear Bomney rams sJgs; Donald Beid (Milton), 5 do to 25gs, 6 do 6gs; W. A BaxW (Kelso) 5 do B}gs; S. W. Moffat (Te Houka), 8 do 6gs, 6 do Gigs; G. T. Sim (Ware-pa), 20 do to 4gsj B. Baird (Clarksville), 1 flock threeshear Eomney rams SJgs; Leonard White (Bakaia), 8 flock one-shear Corriedale rams 6gs, 7 do 4jjgs; W. A. Baxter (Keleo), in conjunction with Wright, Stephenson and Co., 35 one-shear Bomney ewes 3gs. Messrs Dalgety and Co. sold Border Leicester stud rams: For T. S. Little (Windsor), j. at 41gs (purchaser Mr J. Crawford Anderson, Stirling). Bomney Marsh stud rams (in conjunction with National Mortgage and Agency Company): D, Murray, one-shear at togs, 1 at 81gs, 1 ft* l7gs, 1 at 13ge, 1 at

12gs, 1 at log's, 1 at 9gs. Flock rams: For Ewen M'Lennan (Berwick), 5 one-shear Border Leicester rams 3Jgs; D. Murray (Clydevale), 6 two-shear Border Leicester rams Siga; J. W. Blair (Outram), 10 one-shear Border Leicester rama 2|gs; J. S. _ Reid (Eiderslie), 15 one-ehear Border Leicester rains 4gs; G. MofEatt (Te Houka), 6 onesliear Romney Marsh rams 6Jga; D. Murray (Clydevale), 6 one-shear Romney M&reh rams 6Jgs; William Grey (Milbuirj:), 15 one-shear Romney Marsh rama' 4Jgs; T. Henderson (Green Island), 10 one-shear Romney Marsh rams sgs; John Wilson (Lauder), 8 one-shear Bgs, 10 2Jgs; Adam Houlison (Kakapuaka), 2 one-shear Romney Marsh rams 4Jgs, 1 4Jgs, 6 6Jgs, 2 sJgs; James Blaix (Outram), 1 four-shear Romney Marsh ram Bgs, 2 twoshear 6Jgs; Leonard White (Rakaia), 15 one-shear Corriedale ram 7gs; D. Murray (Clydovale), 10 Corriedale rama 6Jgs. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. sold: Border Leicester rams: For John Miller (Maungatua), 1 25Jgs, 1 logs, 1 9Jgs; D. Murray (Clydevale), 1 14gs. Rominey Marsh stud rama: W. A. Baxter (Kelso), 1 36gs;. John Mirier (Maungatua), 1 29gs, 1 15ga; John Lochheadl (Balclutha), 1 lOgs. Cor riedale stud rams: For Leonard White (Rakaia), 1 20gs, 1 17gs, 1 15|gs, 1 16gs, 8 to lOJgs. Border Leicester flock rams. J. F. Reid (Eiderslie), 10 lOgs; Donald Macdonald (Edendale), 26 s|gs; Ewen M'Lennan wick), 5 4Jga; J. W. Blair (Outram), 10 4ga; James Maoandrew (Portobello), 5 4gs; William ' Causer (Mataura Island), 14 B£gs; J. R. Mitchell (Clydevale), 4 at quotations. Romney Marsh flock rams: For W. D. Hunt (Waikiwi), 20 to Bgs; J. F. Reid (Eiderslie), 8 7Jg&; John Miller (Maungatua), 15 to 61gs; J. W. Blair (Outram), 10 6|gs; John Lochhead (Balclutha), 14 to 6gs; Thomas Lochhead (Te Houka),-,.yl to William Grey (Milburn), 12 4J C %, late James Gault (Mataura), 1* sgs; William Fretwell (Wiaikoikoi), 10 to 4igs; W. and N. Reid (Outram, 10 3gs. Corriedale flock rams: For J. A. Mathewson (Hopehill), 18 to 62gs; Leonard White (Rakaia), 6 6gs. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association reports having sold: —Border Leicester rams: For Wm. Grey (Milburn), 1 12&gs, 2 sigs, 10 4£gs, 5 Bgs, 9 2|gs; J. Crawford Andeiison (Stirling), 1 7Jgs; Jas. MooanoWw (Portobello), 5 4£gs. Romney Marsh flock rams: Adam King (Stoney Creek), 4 Bgs, 1 6fgs; Thos. Henderson (Green Island), G sgs, 2 4Jgs; John Miller (Maungatua), 5 sJgs, 6 6gsi Jas. W. Blair (Outram), 10 6gs; Wm. Couser (Mataura Island), 10 3gs.