A Great Heifer.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19212, 19 September 1934, Page 8

A Great Heifer.

TWO-YEAR-OLD FRIESIAN. i "i FOURTH BEST RECORD. SIRE NOW AT TURUA. The fourth best record ever made by a pedigree Friesian 2-year-old heifer in New Zealand was completed in May by Moneville Sylvia Posch Mercena, a heifer bred and owned by Morton S. Rennie, of Mangere, Auckland. The record made by this heifer was 20,589.51 b. milk, 3.71 per cent, average test, and 764.091 b. fat, which must be most heartening to Mr. Rennie, as this is the first cow to be C.O.R. -tested by him. Monthly Returns. Commencing her test at the age of 2 years 280 days, Moneville Sylvia Posch Mercena proved a most consistent producer, and was giving over three gallons daily when she finished her 365 days on test, Her monthly returns were: — May, 1933 (9 days), 430.71 b. milk, 18.731 b fat; June, 1933, 1717.6, 74.71; July, 1950.4, 73.92; August, 1977.7, 72.58; September, 1912.3, 67.69; October, 2004.1, 69.34; November, 1857.4, 61.85; December, 1873.5, 63.69; January, 1934, 1707.1, 59.06; February, 1438.0, 52.63; March, 1629.7, 61.11; April, 1345.3, 56.50; May (22 days), 745.7, 32.28. Totals: 20,589.51 b. milk, 764.001 b. fat. Heifer's Breeding. The breeding of Mr. Rennie's heifer is interesting, as she is another example of the wisdom of line-breed-ing. She is the calf dropped by OakvieAV Posch Echo Mercena 2nd. (Echo Mercena of Oakview —Posch Springtime of Oakview) after Mr. Rennie had purchased this cow as an in-calf rising 3-year-old heifer at the 1930 "Oakview" sale for 36 guineas. This "Oakview" dam is line-bred to King Mercena, a wellknown sire in that herd, and also to Dutchland Springtime (Springhill Jack —Spot), while the imported bull, Bell Farm Echo Sylvia Trojan, is her paternal grandsire. The sire of Mr. Rennie's heifer is Hiwiroa Avon King Sylvia (Rosevale Inka Johanna Posch —May Echo Colantha Posch), who carries three strains of Burkeyje Sylvia Posch (imp.), and two strains of Netherland King of Rosevale.

It is Mr. Kennie's intention to retest his heifer, and she should stand up to many years .of this, for she is exceptionally well grown for her age, of great constitution and a true Friesian in every way. Turua Breeder Buys Sire. Owners of Friesian herds in the Hauraki Plains and other districts will be interested to know that the sire of this champion heifer, Hiwiroa Avon King Sylvia, was purchased last year from the Oakview stud by Mr. H. H. Hicks, of Piako Road, Turua, and is leaving calves of outstanding quality. Dairy farmers will probably be able in the near future to acquire some of the young progeny of this famous sire to build up their herds.