Value of Certificate-of-Record Testing

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 3, 15 September 1941, Page 227

Value of Certificate-of-Record Testing

A Prominent Breeder of Pedigree Dairy Cattle Pays Tribute to the

Miiitiiiiiiititiiiiiiiiiiniiii By iiiimiiiiiiiimmmiillinc

MR. H. J. KAYE.

E Huinga, Stratford.

IT is a regrettable fact that the majority of dairy farmers, and even many breeders of pure-bred cattle, fail to realise or appreciate the true value of the system of Certificate-of-Record testing. . ' The fact that cows, when . under C.O.R. test, are generally fed a certain amount of concentrated food, such as bran or meat-meal, and receive general all-round better treatment than the balance of the herd condemns the system in the eyes of many dairymen. Such dairymen maintain that their cows are being forced, and therefore that the record achieved is a fictitious record. On the contrary, as I will endeavour to prove, the fact that the cow under C.O.R. test receives every facility to produce ,to her utmost capacity is where the real value of this system lies. The other systems of testing, such as the “Group Herd Test” and even the “Government Official Herd Test,” were devised solely with the object of gaining a comparison of one cow against another as members of the same herd. Granting that conditions throughout any one herd are equal-for all members of that herd, then almost any system of testing, if properly carried out, will give a true comparison as between members of that herd. This, however, is as far as the comparison can go. When it comes 'to comparing records of cows in different herds, it must be admitted that the difference in herd conditions enters into the argument, arid must be-taken into consideration. > To give an example, let us take a certain cow which we will name “Darkie.” Now, in Brown’s herd, where conditions, climate, etc., are pretty tough, “Darkie” produces, say, 2001 b. fat. In Black’s herd, where conditions are a little better, “Darkie”

would produce 2501 b. fat. In White’s herd she would' probably produce 3001 b. fat, while in Green’s herd, where she would get really good treatment, she might produce 4001 b. fat. And still she may never have been really extended. What is “Darkie’s” true production? It becomes obvious, then, that to get a true comparison . between cows in different herds the cows must, if possible, be put under the same conditions. This, of course, is impossible, but the nearest we can get to it is to put them on the . best of conditions. And that is where the value, of the C.0..R test comes in. Even on a poor farm it is generally possible to give a few cows at a time a chance to give of their best. To put the thing into a nut-shell: the only way to gain a true comparison between different cows in different herds is to extend them to their full capacity. It must be recognised, therefore, that the C.O.R. testing system is the only system devised for competitive purposes, and the only one which can justifiably be used as such. Another common error among dairymen is the belief that a big record can be produced by almost any average cow if she is what they term “forced.” Don’t you believe it! If the ability to produce heavily is not in . the cow’s make-up, no man can force it out of her. Unless she has the right conformative capacity, ability, and temperament, she will not respond to better,

treatment. Let those who doubt it try it. As a matter ( of fact, considerable judgment is required to feed a cow for high production. Too much dry food will result in the cow putting on abnormal condition; too much rich food will upset her digestion. After all, the most one can do is to handle her gently, keep her warm, and. provide ample milk-producing food, and for this purpose there is nothing better than good quality . pasture.