THE JERSEY COW.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 4, 15 April 1913, Page 393

THE JERSEY COW.

Primrose McConnell

The Jersey cow has no occasion to enlist the services of an apologist. She is the aristocrat of the cow tribe. She is of " the blood royal,” and for generations the greatest care has been taken' to guard her against the evil of ” morganatic ” connection. In her island home two attempts were made in the early days to improve the breed by crossing with Ayrshire and Shorthorn sires. The results of these crosses were, however,, considered so undesirable that the importations and all their descendants • were slaughtered—the Jerseymen had no room for crosses. Since that time her purity has been protected by several Acts of Parliament ; in fact, the law in this direction is now so strict that cattle-importations to the island are not allowed except for immediate slaughter. . In her native home the Jersey cow is treated more as a member of the human family than as an ordinary chattel, and she is undoubtedly a lovable and attractive-animal. No true dairyman can do other than admire her, even if he is convinced in his own mind that she is not the best cow for his purpose. Weight for weight, and taking the average of whole herds, she will produce more butter-fat than any other known breed. She is also more hardy than she gets credit for ; as a-matter of fact, I have seen young acclimatized Jerseys wintered out among the snow on the south-west coast of Scotland. I have also taken particular care to note the results of severe weather on the two breeds at this station (Ruakura), and I find that the Jersey is as' little affected by the bad weather as the Shorthornand the winters here, are trying enough. She. is naturally of good constitution, and tuberculosis is unknown on the Island of Jersey. In my own opinion, any tendency to delicacy of constitution of individual Jerseys has arisen through too much attention being paid to purely show points, and I think we would do well to encourage a little more of the big-framed roomy cow of undoubted constitution. As showing the great care that is taken by the Jerseymen to keep their herd-book beyond suspicion, I cannot do better than quote from an article by - Ernest Matthews, M.A., author of “ Economics in Dairy-farming ” : " Before any animal can be admitted into the herd-book and given a number in either section it must be passed by the herd-book judges. These examinations take

place at different times of the year and in various parts of the island. Five or six judges are usually present, but only three are in the ring at one time. If a fudge knows any of the animals, he steps out of the ring, when his place is taken by another. Two qualifications are given Commended ’ and ‘ Highly commended ’ — and animals failing to get either of these commendations are rejected. No female is examined until she has had a calf, and all bulls must be shown with their dams. Calves are registered when they are born, • and the certificate of registration decides which section of the herd-book they are eligible for when they come up for examination.” Mr. Matthews also states, “I have been present at the herd-book examinations in Jersey, and thereby testify to the fact that no animal with a bad udder, teats, &c., could get a number allotted to her, however good she may be in other directions.”

It may be truly said of the Jersey that, although naturally timid, under gentle treatment she becomes exceedingly docile; Like most breeds of farm stock, the Jersey may be seen to greatest perfection in her native country, and this ' is no doubt due to geological as well as geographical conditions.

The unceasing care that has been taken in the development of the dairy qualities of the Jersey has undoubtedly brought her well to the front as a dairy cow, but if the breeders of this■ valuable animal wish her to retain her present popularity they must get away from the overfine show type, and develop something built on stronger lines. There is not much chance of the “ battle of the breeds ” being decided yet. One man pins his faith to one breed and his fellow to another breed, and as long as the breeds are kept pure not much harm is done; but the dairyman’s trouble begins with the crossing of pure breeds, and although he may be able to rejoice over a few good animals as a result of the first cross, he has nothing certain to work upon, and the end is invariably disappointment. We have plenty of material to work upon among the various dairy breeds, we now possess without attempting to form new breeds. As far as can be seen, the dairy industry will always be one of New Zealand’s greatest mainstays, but possibly the beef question will have to receive serious consideration in the near future ; and as to whether this question will affect the future of the Jersey and other fight breeds is a matter of opinion.

The paddock of tares and barley directly in front of the homestead at Ruakura Farm of Instruction . has made phenomenal growth, and is now being fed off with dairy stock. The success achieved with this crop on raw poor swamp land speaks volumes for green-manuring.