MILK CONSISTENCY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19374, 24 December 1932, Page 10

MILK CONSISTENCY

WHAT RECORDS REVEAL. The importance of milk consistency in dairy cattle is the main feautre of the statistical information appearing in the British Ministry of Agriculture’s newly issued register of dairy cattle. This publication, now entirely confined to the 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 to owners of cattle than their dependence on good milk yields throughout the lactation and a calf every year. Moreover, it is stated that it is a fast-growing need of even dairy herd owners that they should breed calves which can be readily turned into beef. It is significant 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 almost double that of a year ago. Nearly a fifth of these have gone to the Red Poll breed, which stands 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 certificated awarded to the leading breed are for no-pedi-gree cows.

The tabulated figures go to discount the contentions of some dairy experts that the average cow lives to breed only two calves. The average age of the 465 merit certificate winners is 7.7 years; whereas the age of the Red Poll cows, which range up to 13 and 14 years, is 6k years.