SELECTING A DAIRY SIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 18 (Supplement)

SELECTING A DAIRY SIRE

The following extract is made from a Home paper:— “The method of selecting a dairy sire described by Mr. Buchanan Smith has been followed by most pedigree breeders for years, but what of the disappointments, which he admits? I consider that Mr. Boutflour certainly went too far in stating that agricul tural shows and pedigree breeding have done harm to the dairy stock of this country. On the contrary, they have done a great deal of good in all sections of agriculture, with one exception. There is one class of stock which has nut improved as it should; that is the dairy sire. “Must pedigree breeders like to u.-e a bull that has made a name for him self in the show ring and also has a good pedigree. This means more money for the bull; but what of the disappointments after years of service? There msy be good bull calves, but what of" heifers? After all. it is the dairy heifers we want to breed. “This class of bull is not a dairy Mill but a bull-getter. A good bull getter, and vice versa: and herein lies the chief mistake. If one follows the show ring winners during their life’s work there will be ample proo” of this statement, although, of course, there are exceptions. “The future of dairy bulls can be spoilt just as that of dairy heifers bv wrong feeding, not necessarily of them •elves but of their offspring. How many breeders know what their heifer or bull calves are gong to be like when matured? 1 venture to say not one. The sooner we alter the type of dairy bull exhibited at our leading shows th? sooner we shall breed the dairy cow we require. Furthermore, we shall be able to tell better what to ex •eet of our young stock.’’