ENGLAND'S BEST MILK PRODUCERS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 498, 21 July 1932, Page 2

ENGLAND'S BEST MILK PRODUCERS

IMPORTANCE OF CONSISTENCY

I The importance of milk consist. i ency in dairy cattle is the main feai ture lof the statistical information j appearing in the Ministry of Agri. I culture's nlewly issued register of dairy cattle. This publication now entirely confined to the printing of milk records of cattle with the best three consecutive years yields likewise demonstrates that consistency in breeding is of outstanding importance. The register reveals in a conclusive manner that dual purpose cattle are again in the ascendant. There is nothing more essential (c, owners of cattle than their depend, ence on good milk yields throughout the lactation and a calf every yeav. Moreover, it is a fast growing need of even dairy herd owners that they should breed calves which can bt readily turned into beef. It is sig. j nificant therefore that cattle of this) character have a distinct lead in the Ministry's dairy register. Altogether a total of 465 certificates of merit have been awarded —this number being nearly double that of a year ago. Nearly a fifth icf these have, gone to the Red Poll breed which stauds second in comparison with all other breeds. The Shorthorns occupy the first place which for several years has been held by the Red Polls. With two exceptions the Red Polls comprise only pedigree animals, whereas, nearly a quarter of the certificates awarded to the lending breed are for non-pedigree cows.

The tabulated figures go to dis. count the contentions of some dairy experts that the average cow lives lo breed only two calves. The av. erage age of the 465 merit certificate winners is 7-7 years; whereas, the age of the Red Poll cows winch range up to 13 and 14 years is 8£ years.

What is of special importance in these days when the combination of milk and beef production has become essential owing to dwindling profits for both, is that most io*f the Red Poll breeders who have gained merit certificates have secured them with cows which have bred fat stock winners or have produced steers to make the bo,st |on the fat stock market.