JUDGING A COW.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 253, 28 November 1914, Page 2

JUDGING A COW.

One of the -most successful of northern dairymen, Mr S. R. Lancaster, sets down the following rules for the guidance of dairymen in .judging dairy stock: —

Head neat and well-shaped; nostrils wide and fairly large. '•■,.;."' Head not too large; dished between the eyes, which should be prominent and lively. Forehead wide.

Ears well-placed, and of an orangeyellow colour inside. * Horns fine and well-slwiped; not too long. „ ' . Neck fine, rather Jong, well set in *he shoulders, which should be flat and fine'on-top. Brisket deep and neat. Full behind the shoulders, to give plenty of heart room. Back straight and level; broad at hips. ' Ribs well-sprung and deep, giving plenty of room for food supply. Body deep, level, and wedge-shaped. Skin fine and soft, mellow to the feel, ancl of a nice orange colour. Hair fine and soft:

Tail well-set on at pin bones, which should be fairly broad; tail long and tapering, coming well below the hock, with good switch: Thighs wide, open, and nicely curved, with plenty of room for the milk vessel. Milk vessel large • and well-shaped, flatish and deep, extending well forward and back, with teats of good size,

about 2i to 3 inches long, well set on at corners, a good width apart, hanging straight down. Milk veins prominent, and rather twisted, extending well along the belly, entering with good, full openings into the body.

Escutcheon. —This indication of dairying qualities is so variable that I am not prepared to lay down any definite theory. I have found good milkers that do not respond to the escutcheon test.