STUD CATTLE BREEDERS’ PAGE

Southland Times, Issue 20002, 16 October 1926, Page 15 (Supplement)

STUD CATTLE BREEDERS’ PAGE

MILK AND BEEF PRODUCTION

AYRSHIRE BREAKS AUSTRALASIAN RECORD.

SHOW DATES.

Dates of shows «o far advised are is follows : Timaru Show—October 27, 28. Ashburton Show—November 4. Christchurch Show—November 11 and 12. Royal Show, Auckland—November 16, 17, 18. Oam aru—November 18, 19. Otago—November 24, 25-. Winton—November 24. Otautau—December 1. Balclutha—December 2, 3. Gore—December 7, 8. Wyndham, December 10. Invercargill—December 14, 15. MEETINGS. Southland Branch, Friesian Association, 11 a.m., November 6. MILK AND BEEF PRODUCTION. THE RELATION OF BREED THERETO. Breed is the term in common use by which we designate a group of animals distinguished by qualities not common in other groups of the same species. Breed characteristics may be few or many. To illustrate, colour, alone, is the one characteristic that distinguishes the Essex from the Suffolk breed of swine. In all other respects the two breeds are identical. The Sussex breed of cattle differ from the Devon only in being of larger size, according to our best authorities, and I believe there axe examples where the distinction between breeds has been, in fact, in name only. Usually, however, these points of difference are more numerous and pronounced, embracing colour, form, size, temperament, and uses. Indeed a trained observer will, in comparing two animals of distinct breeds, note points of difference in almost every external characteristic. To his eye these externals indicate differences of internal organism that have to do with the amount of food consumed, the ability to assimilate and digest such amount as shall return most profit in a certain line of products. In short, the utilisation of food in production. These breed characteristics are sometimes the product of natural causes. More frequently man’s agency is apparent in the changes observed, and these are in line with the universally admitted law in all animal life—the tendency to adapt itself to its environment. The habitat of animals has much to do with their peculiarities of development. Upon soil conditions depends the kind and amount of food produced, and so soils indirectly have much to do with the developing and establishing of breed characteristics. Fertile lands, level or moderately rolling, develop our larger, early maturing breeds. Rich pastures, with full food supply, without much effort develops large animals. On the other hand, sparse pastures, or uneven, hilly, or mountainous land, tends to decrease size; and so we find most of our small breeds have had their origin on lands of uneven or barren character. Climate, too, plays no unimportant part in producing breed characteristics. Those breeds most highly prized for their economic values are natives of the temperate zones. These are all natural conditions and effect animals prior to, as well as after, their domestication. And yet, while each and all of these factors have had great influence in moulding into form our numerous breeds and have more or less to do with the improvement or deterioration of their peculiar characteristics, it must be admitted that to skilful breeding and feeding we are indebted most largely for those breeds whose value for practical uses are most positively decided. The practical breeder, versed not alone in the best theories of his profession, but uniting with them the knowledge which has been gained by years of practical experience and observation, may, very often does, by the judicious application of his knowledge, modify very largely the characteristics which have been produced through the agency of the natural causes named.

It is only, however, when development .secured by the most perfect utilisation of these natural forces is supplemented by man’s endeavour to intensify and improve those qualities which have brought a breed into recognition for its economic value that the greatest success is assured.

It then follows that the relation of breeds to milk or beef production, or to any line of development, is not a fixed, but under certain limitations a variable one, dependent upon the continuance of the causes that have contributed, by intensifying its distinguishing characteristics, to its individuality. With these brief references to breeds and the agencies by which they have been developed, let me allude to the history of the breed of cattle in which you are most directly interested, and see how far these references apply. The home of the Holstein-Friesian breed, so far as we can trace its origin, was on the flats of North Holland and Friesland, noted for their fertility from a very early period—every condition of soil and climate calculated to develop a large, hardy breed of cattle. And when we remember that the sturdy Hollanders were the pioneers in dairy husbandry, and that their dairy products in amount and quality have never been equalled by any other people on the same area, we have the reason of their zeal and effort to perfect a breed of cattle suited to their special industry. A soil of great natural fertility, especially adapted to the production of the most valuable grasses and forage crops, has been made more fertile, sure, and productive by the added benefits of irrigation and heavy manuring. It is to their credit that as early, if not before any other people, the Hollanders identified themselves with the cultivation of the tame grasses and the clovers which have proved potent agents in the development of this breed of cattle which has been famous for dairy qualities for centuries. In short, the Holstein-Friesian breed of cattle are the product of most favourable natural conditions. Soil and climate have contributed to the furtherest limit in their development and the Dutch farmers, with more far-reaching ken, perhaps, than of any nationality, have weighed the advantages of dairying in maintaining fertility and returning adequate rewards for capital and labour invested. To them the typical dairy cow has been the image of profit. To develop in her offspring those qualities that should add to her value for this particular purpose has been their study, not for one, but many centuries. Can we doubt the strength of heredity thus acquired; and intensified through successive generations, under natural conditions so favourable, coupled with the studious efforts of the breeders, by careful selections, to attain their ideal of perfection ? That ideal being the animal that could transmute the product of their fields into the largest amount of milk and its products. I think there can be no question of the dairy characteristics of the Holstein-Frie-sian breed, as thus evolved in the land to whose fame and wealth they have so largely contributed. It has remained for American skill, however, to take the choicest specimens that could be found in Holland, and not only to equal, but eclipse the largest

recorded production in the home country on American soil, and under American management; but bear in mind that these results have only been realised when the American breeder has taken for his ideal that which has enabled his over-the-sea contemporary to achieve success, viz.: the development of the dairy cow, the intensifying of qualities valuable for this special purpose. By these successive generations of breeding for a particular purpose, the dairy characteristics have been improved and intensified to a remarkable degree. Heredity is potent, and these qualities are transmitted with increased power and intensity to offspring, and we conclude that the relation of the breed characteristics of the Holstein-Friesians are very largely in the line of dairy production.

But what of the future? Breeds of cattle under natural or artificial conditions do not stand still. The unalterable law of advance or retrograde applies here as forcibly as in any other domain of man’s effort. And so rhe question is a pertinent one. While we congratulate ourselves on the present status of the breed, “what of its future?”

Breed characteristics, while they may not be entirely eliminated, may be very greatly modified by change of conditions and management, by the endeavour to utilise the animals in other directions than those in which it has been improved and developed. To illustrate, we may secure delicacy, fineness of bone, and low per cent, of offal at the expense of size, vigour, and roughness. We may breed so as to sacrifice milking qualities for beef production. We may disperse, weaken, and modify those characteristics that have become hereditary only as the product of years of persistent and wisely-directed effort on the part of the breeder. It takes a long time to establish breed characteristics so that we can depend on their being transmitted to off-spring. A very short time, in a course of or antagonistic procedure, will vitiate very greatly, almost destroy, these characteristics. ■ —Address of Professor Johnson, Lansing, Michigan, before annual meeting of The Holstein-Friesian Association of America in 1889. AUSTRALIAN RECORD BROKEN. HONOURS GO TO QUEENSLAND COW. The record for 1 butterfat production as far as Australia and New Zealand are concerned is now held by Viola of Glenmore, an aged Ayrshire cow, owned by Mr J. C. Mann, of Yarranlea, Queensland. Viola recently concluded a 365 days’ test, with a record of 802.3 lb. butterfat from 18,784 lb. milk. Her figures for nine months (15457 lb. milk and 643.19 lb. fat), have been exceeded by three Australian Ayrshires in Milkmaid of Denbigh (699.47 lb. fat), and Poppy of Denbigh (654.45 lb. fat), both in 273 days. Another Ayrshire cow, the Victorian-owned Poppy of Ben Kell, produced 692.23 lb. fat in the same period. During the first six months of her test Viola of Glenmore averaged lb. butterfat. She was (states the “Live Stock Bullettin,” Brisbane) milked three times a day during the first half of the year, and twice daily during the second half. Her ration comprised one kerosene tin of lucerne chaff, 12 lb. bran, 6 lb. pollard, 12 lb. boiled barley, 26 lb. of crushed maize. Between milkings she was grazed on green wheat or green oats in the winter, and on Sudan grass or sorghum in summer. During the last two months of her test no green food was available owing to a drought. Viola’s record was not made under ideal conditions. When she completed her test she had carried a calf nearly seven months. She was also exhibited at Brisbane, Pittsworth, and Toowoomba, and won butterfat and show-ring contests. Viola triumphed in the home milking competition in Brisbane, 1925, and in 1926 vanquished all breeds at Pittsworth show for the greatest quantity of milk and butterfat. Twice she was champion at Toowoomba show and reserve champion once, while at Pittsworth she won a championship and was adjudged the best dairy cow on the ground in 1925 and 1926. Viola’s record indicates what the Ayrshire is capable of when bred on right lines and properly cared for. Many Ayrshire breeders in Australia and New Zealand, too, for that matter, have been lacking in enterprise, and the breed has suffered in consequence. ADVANTAGES OF THRICE DAILY MILKING. Many dairymen are interested in the question as to whether or not a high-pro-ducing herd can be stimulated to even greater production through extra feeding and an extra milking each day. Opinions differ widely as to the possibilities in this respect, so dairy specialists at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva have set out to test the practice experimentally. The station herd is comprised of registered Jerseys that, when milked and fed twice daily, produced on an average of 375 pounds of butter-fat in 11 months and a calf in 13 months. For purposes of testing the possibilities of three milkings and. three feedings per day as a means of increasing production, the herd has been divided into two parts, one part to be fed and milked twice daily as usual, and the-other to receive three feedings and to be milked three times per day. The cows in this last group are milked for 12 months and are bred to freshen every 15 months, while the other group is milked 10 months and is bred to freshen in 12 months. To date, only small increases in average butter-fat production have resulted from the increased feeding and milking, say the station specialists. Individual animals, however, have shown a marked reaction favourable to the practice, and it is thought by those in charge of the experiment that it may be a means of discovering high producing animals for breeding purposes and thus raise the entire production of the herd to a higher level. “The immediate effect of three milkings and feedings per hay is not of much importance to dairymen,” says a statement on the test issued by the station authorities. “It is the long-time cumulative effect of this treatment that is so vital to profitable milk and butter—fat production, as well as to the development of high producing strains of cattle for the advancement of the breed. At some future time the record of the station’s Jersey herd should give valuable information on this question.”

COW PRODUCES 86 TONS MILK. Actual records kept by the department of dairy husbandry at the South Dakota State College show that Leda Cornucopia, a Friesian cow bred and owned by the State College dairy department, has produced during the 17 years of her life, 174,795.71bs milk and 5,744.991bs butter-fat. This is over 86 tons and is the equivalent of four freight car loads of milk. Leda is still in the college dairy herd ind doing well for her age. At the present time she is still milking 13 quarts per day. If she continues for another milking period, she will crowd the W’orld’s long-time production record for both milk and butter-fat. Leda also has two official records that are higher than

the private herd records kept by the college for the same time, hence the college records are not giving her any advantage. Several of Leda’s lactation periods have continued for more than 12 months and the eighth period was for nearly two years. Here are the actual records kept for each milking period—

174,795.7 5,744.99 THE RED POLL. DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS WELL PRESERVED. From generation to generation the distinctive characteristics of the Red Poll have been well preserved, the result, as most breeders claim, and with good reason, to the strictness with which the breed has been protected from the introduction of alien blood. Red Poll breeders have jealously guarded their cattle in this respect, and, notwithstanding occasional and always illfounded allegations as to the introduction of some out-cross, the Red Poll, to-day, is as pure as any breed under the sun. It is true the Red Polls of Suffolk and Norfolk, though at one time distinct in themselves, were, nevertheless, polled cattle greatly alike in many respects. Arthur Young’s great historical survey of close on two centuries ago shows the Suffolk Red Poll to be somewhat superior to the Norfolk type in its milk producing powers. Nevertheless, there was a close similarity between the cattle of these two arable counties of East Anglia. The effect of their merger, which, according to Mr Euren, happened in 1846, brought about the ideal type of milk and beef Red Poll as we know to-day, namely, an animal which it is undisputed has no superior for milk and beef production in combination and which, from many other standpoints, takes the lead in comparison with other breeds. If longevity, regular breeding, early maturity in beef production are of any account, then the Red Poll should not be overlooked as a breed for it embodies these qualities to an extent which places it in an ascendant position. HIGH PRODUCTION BREEDING. A SOUTHLAND EXAMPLE. When Bainfield 27 made her record of 23,203.31 b milk and 910.741 b fat as a senior four-vear-old her owner, Mr R. J. Potter, unearthed her old sire in a grade herd and bought him. Mr Hunt’s sale gave him an opportunity to purchase Bainfield 27th’s mother, Oakwood Daisy Belle, and he at fence set out to try and breed another Bainfield 27. He also determined to place Oakwood Daisy Belle under test and prove whether the family was consistent or whether Bainfield 27 was more or less a chance. Oakw’ood Daisy Belle’s fine record of 22,893.51 b milk and 914.671 b fat proved beyond doubt that the family was a splendidly consistent one for high production. Oakwood Daisy Belle’s performance w’as all the more meritorious when it is considered that she arrived at “Willowburn” rather thin and that she was placed on test three months later and that she persisted in milking up to within a fortnight of starting her test. It was intended to give Oakwood Daisy Belie another tryout, when it was felt sure that barring accidents, she would easily make 10001 b butter-fat. The accident came, however, in the shape of some of the same poison—Carbide refuse—that killed Bainfield 27; and Oakwood Daisy Belle has never been quite herself since. The first result of the mating of Bainfield Dutchman and Oakwood Daisy Belle was a bull calf, now developing into a type yearling. The next was a heifer, the calf in question. This calf has z the distinction of being the only purebred in New Zealand of any breed which has a 9001 b full sister and also a 9001 b mother. It is hoped that this calf will some day uphold the reputation of both these, her splendid relatives. DEHORNED CATTLE AND THE SHOW RING. At a recent meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association, Mr J. P. Morrison asked for the opinion of those present on the question of dehorning of pedigree dairy cattle, particularly of those exhibited at agricultural and pastoral shows. In the discussion the general belief was expressed that in practical dairying dehorning was a very great advantage—the cows were much quieter. “They could be herded together in the yards like sheep,” said one member. Another member said that he had recently got a quotation for extending his concrete holding yards, but he said that if his cows were dehorned his present yards would be quite large -enough. Mr H. R. Green (the chairman) said that, the committee set up by the New Zealand Friesian Association to amend the “score card” for use in judging dairy cattle had recommended the deletion of any points for horns, and the of the association, some time ago, Tiad instructed judges that dehorned pedigree Friesians were not to be penalised for absence of horns when competing against horned animals. Major R. A. Wilson thought that in the near future legislation would make compulsory the dehorning of all grade and crossbred cattle, and that later on he felt sure the dehorning of pedigree dairy cattle would also be required. FRIESIANS IN MANY COUNTRIES. “According to our experience Friesians are doing well in such countries as Asia Minor (Turkey) and even as far south as Palestine (Jerusalem),” writes Louis Jarman in the Netherlands Herd Book Association, The Hague, Holland. “The climate conditions over there are very good and they will in no way affect the health of Friesians. The death of proper feeding material is one of more importance. This will at once tell on the milk yield. However, Friesians will not die from a change in their diet. Mohammedans not taking kindly to the consumption of milk, this may account for the indifference with which they treat milch cows. Nothing will spoil Friesians more than rough handling and bad milking. The market in Holland has stiffened lately on account of Spain buying 4000 head of milch cows.” CONCESSIONS TO EXHIBITORS. RAILWAY DEPARTMENT’S ACTION. At a recent meeting of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, the Royal Agricultural Society forwarded copies of replies it had received to the railway remits passed at 4

the annual conference at the end of May. Regarding a request that excursion fares be granted in both Islands in connection with Royal Agricultural Shows, the Railway Board replied that it was of opinion that, the additional traffic that would be fostered by the granting of the concession would not. be sufficient to make up for the loss there would be on the fares usually obtained from the regular traffic. It was regretted that the request could not be granted, but the areas from which the concession tickets would be granted would be fixed as liberally as possible, having regard to the special circumstances surrounding each event. Regarding a request that excursion rates be granted on secretaries’ certificates to bona fide exhibitors and attendants with livestock for A. and P shows, the Railway Board replied that in view of the national importance of the Royal Show to be held in Auckland it had been decided to grant holiday excursion tickets to bona fide exhibitors and attendants travelling with livestock. While the board was unable to agree to enlarge the concession to exhibitors to the extent asked, favourable consideration would be given to applicants from individual societies for extension of exhibitors’ concessions for live-stock from points beyond those usually approved, in cases where it was shown that a reasonable number of entries was assured. The Royal Society also stated that it had received a letter from the Railway Board regarding combining exhibits for railway purposes. The letter stated that representations were recently made by the West Coast Agricultural Pastoral and Industrial Association regarding the railage charged on exhibits of live-stock consigned to shows when two or more consignments were loaded in the same waggon. Instructions had recently been issued by which owners of livestock proceeding to agricultural and pastoral shows might be allowed, if they so desired, to combine their exhibits and have the same treated as one consignment. BREEDERS' PARS. There are about 10,000 cows in Jersey, or one for every two and a half acres of cultivated land. The forage on Jersey is rather scanty, and the cattle are tethered rather than run loose on pasture. The cattle are handled very carefully; grass and vegetables form the main part of the ration, with very small amounts of grain. Although it is desirable that the back of a dairy cow should be straight and level, it is not necessary (writes a dairying authority in a London stock journal) to attach much importance to this point in practice. “Modelling the herd” may strike some dairymen readers as a new function for a bull, because, true it is, that many who are clamouring for dairymen’s rights have not yet discovered any use for a male animal in their herd, except to bring their milking cows into milking again. In regions of intensive dairy development, herd improvement through cow-test-ing work is recognised as one of the most important steps affecting costs of production that can be taken. A food rich in protein increases the quantity but not the quality of the milk; but by inducing a cow to give a larger quantity she will thus proportionately yield more butter-fat. It has been said “that the bull is half I the herd.” He is all this, and more to the man who knows what bulls are really meant for, that is, the man who breeds his own dairy cows. Strictly speaking, to breed real dairy cows in the shortest possible time and with the greatest degree of certainty, both cow and bull should be purebred and of proved dairy quality. A. J. Glover, in the course of his address at the dedication of Haecker Dairy Hall, University Farm, St. Paul, Minnesota, said, “practically one-third of our cows are not paying for feed consumed.” This means 500,000 cows help hold down the price of milk and butter-fat in Minnesota. The cow testing associations have helped get rid of from 8 to 10 per cent, of the unprofitable eows in associations the past year. This year more than ever will it be necessary to cull closer and quickly the cows that fail to return a reasonable sum over cost of feed. It often times takes one-third to onehalf of the profit made by a good cow tn keep several low producers in the herd. The first test for the 1926-2? season is now being taken in the Menzies Ferry Amalgamated Group of the Southland Herd Testing Association. It is understood that the Menzies Ferry Ayrshire breeder, Mr A. M. Weir, has entered his entire herd of purebreds totalling 70 head. While it is true that the breeding usefulness of some good purebred animals has been impaired by over-feeding, yet, it is safe to say that the development of many more has been impaired by under-feeding. You don’t expect to buy a real show bull with excellent breeding for the price of a scrub. Price is usually regulated by the breeding and quality of the individual. No doubt the inferior quality of the majority of cattle to be seen in our pastures in many parts of the country to-day is in r. great measure due to the use of inferior sires; yet the want of care and proper management on the part of. farmers has much to answer for. In dealing with the subject of dehorning, it is possibly superfluous to enumerate the advantages of performing such an operation—at any rate in New Zealand. The danger of damage caused by horns is naturally greatest where a large number of cattle are confined in a comparatively small space, yet with sufficient room to “mill.” These conditions are fulfilled in the open yard of a New Zealand milkingshed, and it is therefore at milking time (save in exceptional cages) that horns are most in the way. It is not sufficient to possess good cows. The cows may have the best of pedigrees, but unless judgment is used in feeding them they will never make the profit of which they are capable. The attention of Friesian breeders is drawn to the fact that heifers must be entered for the Derby at time of registration. A heifer cannot be entered for the Derby after she has been registered in the Herd Book. Breeders often overlook this matter, and several applications for Derby entries have recently been refused them. Many points must be considered beside actual udder capacity before ascertaining the milking qualities of a cow, as every dairyman knows. And not the least of these is the important question of disposition. Disposition is, as in human beings, hereditary’, and controlled—to a certain extent—by environment, but it varies considerably in different breeds of cattle. When it is recognised that up to 20001 b of butter-fat, a cow is only just paying for her yearly keep, and anything above that represents profit, it will be seen how many cows must be milked in New Zealand without profit. It pays to feed young stock sufficiently well to bring about the proper weight for the age. It pays, tejo, to get your surplus sale stock in attractive condition, for they not only sell better, but are a satisfaction to you and pleasing to the prospective buyer. Prepotency is the power of an animal, male or female, to stamp its characteristics on its offspring. If this ability is handed on to sons and daughters we say that the stock “breeds on.” In rare instances an animal, usually a male, is found which has such power as a breeder that it leaves an indelible impress, even to the extent of becomiog a fountain-head of » new breed.

Lbs. milk. Lbs. butter-fat. 1 14,950.1 500.59 2 13,199.0 471.88 3 13,105.0 432.5 4 23,175.4 783.83 5 16,1812 590.27 6 15,591.0 575.26 7 13,521.4 465.6 8 30,380.0 918.44 9 14,722.7 433.75 10 9,921.2 286.60 11 10,048.7 287.7