PURE-BRED HERD SIRES

Waipa Post, Volume 36, Issue 2148, 24 April 1928, Page 7

PURE-BRED HERD SIRES

GOVERNMENT SCHEME’S AUSPICIOUS START. INTRODUCTION IN VICTORIA. Nothing 1 could be more gratifying to those who desire that the* standard of the dairy herds should improve than the success with which the Victorian Government scheme for the purchase of pure-bred bulls is being carried out. Although it has been in operation for only a few months, the plan has already been the means of introducing to dairy herds in all parts of the State hundreds of highlybred young stock which will be the means of appreciably raising the standard of butter-fat production, and, what is perhaps more important, will ultimately lead to the elimination of the “ scrub ” bull. Each animal purchased under the scheme in time takes the place in the herd of the nondescript bull which has done more to retard the development of dairying than perhaps any other factor. The benefits may not be apparent in practical form for two or three' generations, but it will then be found that the good which has been achieved by means of the scheme has been tremendous. The Government scheme for the purchase of pure-bred bulls was brought into operation by the Ministry of Agriculture in November, 1927, and it has been described by visitors from other countries as the most liberal subsidisled bull purchase scheme in operation in any part of the world. Unde?: the scheme the Government may purchase up to 75 per cent of the purei-bred bull calves from cows that qualify for certificates under the present standard herd test rules. The price paid is computed at the rate of Is a lb of the net estimated butter-fat production of the dams, provided that thte animals are taken over from the breeder within threei months of birth, but where a bull may be of outstanding quality as regards breeding and type, a sum up to 25 per cent of the purchase price may be paid. If the oalf is from a heifer on her first lactation period the price is computed on the butter-fat production of his dam’s dam and sire’s dam, provided that the heifer is subject to the standard herd tdst rules. If it is impracticable to purchase a calf until it is aged more than three months, and an allowance of £2 is paid for each period of three months, up to 12 months, in which the animal is retained by tha breeder. Bulls purchased by the Government under the scheme are sold only to approved dairy farmers, excepting those who are breeders of pure-bred cattle, at half the purchase price, transport and other incidental charges being paid by the dairy farmer. The terms of purchase are thus most liberal, and make it possible for any genuine dairyman to acquire a young bull of the highest breeding qualities. Only two principal conditions are to be observed by the purchaser, but they are such that the fulfilment works entirely to the buyer’s future benefit. The purchasing dairy farmer must undertake to have, destroyed at abattoirs any “ scrub ” or mongrel-bred bull he may have in his possession when a bull purchased under the scheme arrives at an active age. The price obtained for the slaughtered nondescript is retained by the farmer —a further indication of the generosity of the plan. The other condition is that the farmer must retain the bull for at least three years, and he is required to keep records of production of his herd from the date of acquiring the bull. .

The bulls are \selected by live stock experts of the Department of Agriculture, and in choosing them close attention is paid to type, pedigree, and the production of the dams. Every safeguard is made for the purchaser, and a bull before being taken under the scheme must rigidly conform to all the conditions. Particular emphasis is laid on the production of the dam and the claims of the calf to the characteristics of the breed. An indication of the success with which the scheme is meeting and the extent to which dairy farmers have recognised its possibilities was furnished by the large number of applications for calves received during the tour of the Better - Farming Train through Victoria from 6th to 16th of March. During the two weeks of the tour the train visited ten centres, in which the scheme was explained to those interested by the live stock officer. Before the tour was completed he had received orders for more than 70 young bulls under the scheme. In one day 15 applications were received. The extremely beneficial effect that the introduction of 70 highly bred and carefully-chosen sires will have on the standard of dairying in the districts of Victoria concerned can be readily appreciated.