JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 52, 16 October 1911, Page 3

JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE.

A WORD FOR 'i'tlE SHOW RING. The other clay we published an extract from an article on the above subject entitled “Escutcheon and Milk Vein,” which appeared in the “Jersey .Bulletin,” contributed by Professor Hugh 0. Van Pelt. The same writer lias also something to say about the value of the show ring, and his remark's are apropos just now. The professor says : i'hi re are those who would do away with she.', -yard contests altogether and determine the value of their cattle entirely upon the basis of their ability to yield at the'pail and churn. This is little short of narrowmindedness, for there is a great field for the show-ring and a field that can he idled in no other manner.. Do away with the show-yard and every breed of dairy cattle will soon reach the point where 1 the' 1 individuals of which they are comprised will lie of every type and description ‘imaginable—long-leg-ged, slab-sided, broken backed, d'roop-ing-rimiped, tilted uddered ugly brutes that no one who appreciates the aesthetic would dare to have upon his farm. No'doubt they would be productive, but with such an appearance only those who have no desire other than that of commercialising the production of milk and butter would enthuse over dairy cattle. Little could the lover of the dual-purpose or slick beef animals (that have gained beauty as a result of show-yard decisions) bo blamed for preferring a little less prolit and a little more of the beauty chat a. well-formed animal adds to the looks of the barnyard and pasture. One of the greatest values of showing cattle is that there is nothing which gives such favourable publicity to tluD breeds’ an'clj attracts the prospectivel begin nor I to enter the ranks of dairying, like the show-ring. Merit.oi'ious as (Re Advance Registry, there hi E many jwiiojar.e, .adding greatly to the jircstige' of) ail breeds of dairy cattle ‘by ’supplementing their testing records* With .show-ring winnings, or leaving. tlie testing business to their fcllow-oi'cedors and for their part are following tile fairs ; and dairy shows, moiildiiig plibiie, opinion and selling the offspring of their animals for more money on tlie average than are those who depone! wholly upon the results obtained 'from! testing. A discussion M the value of the show-yard, however, is scarcely necessary, for there will always be. those w’ho will bo found on the circuit with dairy cattle, aiding in advertising their favourite breed. This , being true, there seems to be merit in the show-ring, and the faults so often attributed to it fall upon the exhibitor, the management of the show dr the judge. Granting that the two former factors need consideration, hut leaving them for the future, 1 will reluctantly discuss die question of how to judge dairy cattle, realising that there will • be. .many who v. ill not concur with iny ideas.