THE DAIRY COW.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 66, 1 December 1911, Page 4

THE DAIRY COW.

VIEWS OF A GOVERNMENT EXPERT.

During the course of a recent address, Mr D. Cuddie, Dairy Commissioner, remarked that yield-testing of dairy herds is the most important question of the day in regard to profitable dairying. Although the actual testing and weighing of the milk for each individual cow is only a means to an end, yet the farmer cannot begin to improve his stock successfully without the information thus obtained. A number of farmers, of course, have been testing their individual cows for milk and butter-fat productiveness for many years,- and have been well repaid for their pains. But to the average dairy farmer the work entails more attention when done properly than he cares to undertake, and the only feasible way in which the work can be carried out extensively and correctly is for the farmers to form cow-testing associations on the co-operative principle. A man can then be employed to devote his full time to manipulating the test carefully, and to the compilation of the necessary returns, which require careful recording to be of any value. The cost to the farmer is infinitesimal compared to the value of the information received. A good man could test about 3000 cows, and continue the work, required for that number right throughout the season, Assistance would be required with the clerical part of it. . ! . •" iv Great progressTias been made in other countries;]® testingldairy herds. Two yearsjago the method was introduced 'by the Department at Dalefield factory, in the Wairarapa. That 'association has proved so successful that three other cow-testing associations were formed in different parts of the North Island the following year, and for this season two additional cemmencect' operations u. 1 dvr' the control of' the Department, -'one, being at Stirling. Seveialbetters are now working trol of farmers own ex pen together something ld<sJib,Qbb;:co\Vs will be tested owners furnishedV complete re co perfOrjn a nee s - ; f or This encouraging result, as it indicates., arc rapidly realising thifydiue of the work, arrft they carfiiot do so too soon. on£.W' the lessons of. The ... “.records. • - ' RMetrifig JbeJfie records" iha§? :have;-been cojnfn'ied" By tbfeffifeS ,parlnieht,- MjfCudcfie thou’glit iff ■jwould to note the .difference .xh Productive capacity of tthe various herds'. The majortjtyiof farmers,, he said, no doubt .'realise that it is not'a.l.ways cow that gives the big flow of .milk at they flush of tbje season Jh^t,returns the most profit, but it that keeps;t|p'a fairly for a longffMctation .peviodk As an exampJ4«!sf this, The fig-fires of the first association improved ! ,that the cows milking | seven to eight months gave an I average return of 22711). of fat; j whereas the cows milking nine \ months'gave an average rekirn j

of 2971 b. of fat, a difference of 70 lb., which is per pound for butter fat is equal to £3 10s per head for the herd milking the longer period ; and to breed from from such cows should be the aim of every farmer, always remembering that the purebred sire from a good milking strain should be used.