AN N.Z. ESTIMATE OF THE VALUE OF A COW.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 35, 25 November 1899, Page 7

AN N.Z. ESTIMATE OF THE VALUE OF A COW.

The element which naturally appeals most to the sensibilities of a dairyman (says the New Zealand Dairyman) is that encircled in the item “pounds, shillings and pence.” Will it pay ? During the past three years of drought (remarks the Australian Field, JN.S.W.) and scarcity this phase of the dairying industry has been prominent, and doubtless many farmers must have faced the query with grave doubts as to a satisfactory reply being forthcoming. It is plain to most of us that we are yet a long way in the rear of the yields attained by herds of cows in the older dairying countries. Victoria’s average is 253 gallons per cow, whilst Denmark maintains an average yield of over 500 gallons. The Dane breeds, feeds, and milks one cow, whereas we have to extract the same amount of milk from two cows.

The efforts of the Euroa Butter Company to raise the butter-produc-ing standard of the herds associated with their concern is worthy of record. When milk testing and the system of payment by results was initiated at this company’s factory, the average test for the first six months was 3.6 per cent.

Mr C. C. Lance and the writer continually urged, in and out of season, the educational value of the system, in pointing unmistakably to the dairy farmer the commercial value of each cow. , The estimation of quantity of yield with quality was •clearly shown to be the best method. The suppliers were continually encouraged to get their herds tested, and the weak cows culled as a result of this method. Steadily the year’s returns increased, and during the past two years the average test has been from the 200 suppliers 3.9 per cent butter fat. This looks a simple statement, and possibly will convey to the uninitiated a dim conception of its real value, but in such a factory as Euroa it means a difference in the amount paid to suppliers of milk of considerably over £2OOO per annum. The returns in the past have been so thoroughly satisfactory, and the -effects of the system so palpable, that the company has decided to encourage this sound method of culling to its utmost, and has decided to place the greatest facilities at the disposal of the supplier to accurately ■estimate the commercial value of each cow be milks. Simplicity of procedure has been the key-note of

their officials’ work in formulating the details. First of all, a circular is issued to each supplier, pointing out the practical assistance and commercial gain accruing from having a sound knowledge of each cow’s butteryielding capacity. The incentive such knowledge will possess in encouraging each dairyman to zealously watch his cow’s returns, and thus afford him ample data on which to decide which cows are worth keeping, is great. His successful efforts in breeding, feeding, and general management are constantly evidenced in these returns ; and the influence on an intelligently culled herd must prove of considerable assistance. The company agree to provide each supplier, free of charge, a box containing as many composite sample bottles as there are cows to test. These bottles are suitably sterilised with formalin, and corked with indiarubber plugs or stoppers. On the inside of the lid of the box is a card attached containing the following instructions : —‘ Directions for taking a correct lest sample of milk to estimate the butter yield of a cow : 1. The cow must he thoroughly milked the night or morning before the first sample is taken. 2. Immedi ately after milking the milk should be strained. 3. The milk, whilst warm, should be well stirred with a dipper, or well mixed by passing rapidly from one bucket to another three or four times. 4. The milking must be complete and fully represent the whole milking, including the strippings. 5. By means of a dipper, or smaller vessel, take a sample of the milk immediately— about a wineglassful— and pour into the composite sample bottle. 6. Firmly and promptly replace the india-rubber stopper or plug. 7. Samples should be taken from four consecutive milkings at least, and should be enough to fill the bottle, so as to prevent churning. 8. The weight of the yield in pounds from each, milking should be recorded on the label. 9. Gently agitate the sample and place it in the box, which should be kept in a cool place.” These directions must be carefully complied with to ensure an accurate return.

In each box is a spring balance to ascertain the weight, and suppliers are held responsible for the proper return of box, balances, sample bottles, and plugs. A label is attached to each bottle, as the following : Name of supplier Name of cow Weight of milk for four milkings : 1 ... lbs. 2 ... lbs. 3 ... lbs. 4 ... lbs. Total A day is set apart each week, when these samples are tested, and the supplier is afterwards furnished with a return showing how much butter each cow is computed to yield week. This system has in the past proved very useful, and with the increased facilities thus afforded a keener interest will be encouraged in the returns from each herd.