THE MILKING SHORTHORN.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VII, Issue 1, 15 July 1913, Page 21

THE MILKING SHORTHORN.

During the course of the Hamilton and Palmerston North Winter Shows meetings of dairy-farmers interested in the milking Shorthorn were held with . the object of forming societies to advance the breed from a . milk - producing point of view. Associations were formed at each centre,' the stated objects being to establish milking Shorthorn herd-books, a feature of which would be a register of merit, inclusion in which would be granted only on an animal passing an inspection test (conducted by selected authorities), and a butter-fat test for the full milking season, established under official supervision. It is hoped by this means to develop the milkingqualities of the Shorthorn stock of the Dominion, and thereby provide the means whereby farmers interested in dairy Shorthorn stock may be able to secure a bull of undoubted dairy blood. It is believed that with a supply of milk-record Shorthorn bulls the breed would rapidly come into favour again in this country.

The twenty young Holstein bulls that will be available for sale from the Weraroa Experimental Farm this year are coming through the winter well. Lucerne Hay.—The Jersey cow, Lady Ida (of the Ruakura Farm of Instruction herd) is recovering as a result of feeding, with lucerne hay. Two weeks ago she was completely dry and her appetite almost gone. She was then fed with lucerne hay, which she took to at once, and at the end of five days her milk had returned, and her appetite is now almost normal. This hay has also had a marvellously beneficial effect on other cows and calves, an improvement in their constitution being quite noticeable at the end of five days. Good lucerne hay seems to be invaluable, possibly a great deal more valuable than the green.

fodder.

Primrose McConnell.