Cow-Testing Associations.

Waikato Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1405, 31 January 1914, Page 5

Cow-Testing Associations.

GOOD THINGS DONE. 1. The test association not only points out the poor cows, but the good ones also; many cows considered only average are really the best in the herd when real records supersede the guess system. , 2. Under the guess system and in the absence of records, sentiment is a strong factor in selecting the cows worthy of being retained- in the herd, also the. cows from which heifers are to be kept. A cow’s disposition and temper enter seiiouslv into the matter. With accurate records such minor things are overlooked in the real producers, and a bond of friendship develops between the milker and the producing cow. 3. Persistency of milk flow, the one qualification tbat'outraoks all others in worthy cows, is very difficult to recognise under the guess system, but it is eisilv brought to the owner s attentior through the test association. 4. The test association records are very valuable in later years as references, both in feeding and managing the herd. 5. The test association developes better feeders, deeper thinkers, better dairymen, and better dairy methods. It checks overfeeding as well as under-feeding and ensures greater net profits6. The monthly visit of the tester and the conversation with him, and the tendency it creates to increased discussion with the neighbour, helps to broaden the mind, induces reading and studying, in fact makes better dairymen aud better citizens. 7. Cows from regularly tested herds sell for money and so does the offspring. 8. The hired man takes greater I interest in the work. 9. Most important of a 1! is the fact that no one other factor on the whole farm so interests the boys and girls and attaches them to the dairy as that of accurate and systematic recordsBoys and girls nowadays are taught definite thipgs in a systematic way. On the farm they expect to apply the things they learn in school. Our old fashioned methods that we had drilled into us years ago do not interest them. The newer things do. If you do not believe that records of dairy cows are interesting to children) try it on any youngster over six years of age and you will soon be convinced. The above paragraphs are taken by Hoard's Dairyman ” from an address made by M. S. Shrock at the annual convention of the Oregon Dairyman’s Association held at Tillamook.

CAMBRIDGE RETURNS,

As previously intimated, we are issuing some of the Cow Testing Association returns for the month ending December 28th, 1913. It h noticeable, in spite of a general decrease the returns are remarkably good for December. The best cow gives 1980 lb mik with a 3.8 test, and 75.2 butter fat, which indisputably will take a lot of beating.

SOME OF THE BEST Herd Averages Highest Ind’v’al Yield L’wst Ind’v’al Yield cows I MILK I test 1 FAT MILK test ! FAT MILK ! TEST | FAT LJL 'pick cent lb. LB. PER CENl’j 1 LB. LB. iPER CENT LB. 71 1014 4.0 40.8 1410 44 • 62.0 525 4.2 22.0. 7 1238 3.7 j 46.0 1455 3.6 52.3 1035 3.7 38 2 23 978 3.9 I 38.7 1005 4.6 j 4P.2 592 i 5 0 ! 29.6 21 1159 3.7 i 43.0 198) 3.8 i 75 2 945 j 3.6 | 34.0 20 1195 3.7 44.7 1545 3.6 | 55 6 1110 3.3 | 36,6 40 1154 3.8 44.5 1620 3.8 | 61.5 660 4.8 j 31.6 SOME OF THE LOWEST 6 805 3.8 30.8 1110 i 3.6 39.9 420 3.6 15.1 64 964 3.8 37.0 1740 j 3.4 ! 59,1 397 4.0 | 15.8 91 716 4.3 31-2 1185 | 4.2 49.7 3*5 3.6 1 12.4 11 773 3.6 28.3 930 j 4.3 39 9 420 3.5 j 14.7 40 699 3.9 JJ7.6 1050 4.5 47.2 . 180 5.6 | 10.8 18 805 3.9 31.7 1245 I 4.1 j 51.0 240 4.1 1 9.8