MILK CONSISTENCY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 280, 26 November 1932, Page 20 (Supplement)

MILK CONSISTENCY

WHAT RECORDS REVEAL. BRITISH DAIRY REGISTER. The importance of milk consistency in dairy cattle is the main feature ot the statistical information appearing in the British Ministry of Agriculture’s newly issued register of dairy cattle. Ths publication, now entirely confined to the milk records of cattle with the best three consecutive years yields, likewise demonstrates that con sistency in breeding is of outstanding importance. The register reveals in a conclusive manner that dual-purpose cattle an again in the ascendant. There is nothing more essential to owners of cattle than their dependence on gooo 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 read ily 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 num ber 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 ail 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 certificates awarded to the leading breed are for non-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 i’? 7.7 years; whereas the age of the Red Poll cows, which range up to .13 and 14 years, is 81 years.