POINTS TO WATCH IN BUYING BULLS TO IMPROVE DAIRY HERDS: CAREFUL STUDY TO GET RESULTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 91, 6 September 1948, Page 5

POINTS TO WATCH IN BUYING BULLS TO IMPROVE DAIRY HERDS: CAREFUL STUDY TO GET RESULTS

(By W.-H. Mandeno, Consulting Officer of the N.Z. Dairy Board)

With the season of bull sales at hand it is important for farmers to reconsider the attributes desired in their stock. These are clearly set out in the Sire Survey and Merit Register obtainable from the Herd Improvement Asociation, and it is a volume containing information on where these qualities are likely to he found:

(a) Sound butterfat producing .-ability. ' (b) Fertility—ability to calve regularly. . (c) Resistance to disease. (d) Length of working life. (e) Good Dairy Temperament. . As bulls influence the herd to such a great extent—especially in small j herds—it is desirable to take more care than is usually done in : the -selection of the herd sire. Breeders’ Responsibility It is too seldom realised that a farmer who sets himself up as a breeder of bulls has a definite responsibility to the industry. This is clearly indicated by the fact that the average pedigree cow cannot be regarded now as a better producer than the' average grade . and yet four out of five bulls in the . country are pedigree. To ensure the • confidence of the industry in pedigree breeders it is essential that ' limits be set for the parents of bulls • offered in sales organised by breeders. Althdugh it is of great personal interest for breeders to compete amongst themselves in the production of outstanding ; records the use of these forced records—usually over a 365 day period—is definitely misleading to the commercial dairyman in search of a good bulb This is very eyident from the .- growing popularity of stock bred by studmasters whose feeding and management is similar to that of the . average good dairyman. Under these conditions a farmer can with confidence buy a bull and expect re- - suits comparable with those shown in the pedigree. It is of course reasonable for a farmer to buy only from a pedigree breeder whose herd average is better than his own on similar conditions. An Important Fact An important result of Dairy ; Board Surveys is the fact that there is a far greater chance of getting good producers amongst high -testing animals of the various breeds so that the test of cows in pedigree will repay ’attention. There is no doubt that a bull, whose daughters (when all are considered) are proved producers, is the best possible purchase. Unfortunately these are rather rare.

It has been shown by analysis of hundreds of bulls* that the next best bet to a proven bull ‘is the son of a proven bull from a cow being a member of a good family, and having a succession of creditable records. The question, of course, is where to find such bulls. ' * It is for this purpose that the Sire Survey and Merit Register is published. Bull purchasers can find the vital information concerning the stock of various breeders and strains of cattle and act accordingly. Whilst mentioning strain of cattle it is worthwhile to point out that the incorporation of “Owler,” “Sam” or “Majestic”, in the name, gives no

virtue to an animal and it is only the close proximity of an outstanding animal—no further than the third generation away—that can be of any use in a pedigree. Not only is a close proximity desirable, but there should be no gaps of unproven stock between the lot offered and the highly regarded ancestor. Watch His Age s A bull cannot be proved any younger than five years, so that it is well to know the age of any bull whose daughters are not mentioned as only up to that age can reliance be placed on pedigree. It is desirable to decide on animals to be purchased before reaching the sale ring. A study of the catalogues will give the preliminary selection and it is then necessary to see the farm and herd from which the bulls are offered. The Survey of the Herd Sire should be inspected and condition of feeding noted. It is well to have an understanding of the abbreviation used in pedigrees and they can be confined to those used in Jersey Cattle. C. 8.8. Champion Butterfat Bull, indicates that at least five daughters have been tested above a range of limits between 4601bs of fat in 305 days, at 2 years of age, to 700 lbs in 365 days at over 5 years. This is scarcely a qualification for a dairy bull, as it involves selection and forcing. , Merit Sire —A qualification award-' ed to bulls who have at least ten unselected daughters which have been tested in the same season as some of their dams and the adjusted average is 3501bs of fat in up to 305 days. j L.M.R. —Lifetime Merit Register—indicates that a cow has produced 2,5001bs of fat in eight successive seasons. An “Elite” • class contains these L.M.R. cows which produce 4,0001bs in ten successive seasons. I.M.R. —lntermediate Merit Register—an award for cows which before eight years of age produce 1,200 lbs in three successive lactations of 305 days with a minium of 3501bs per year. A reduction is allowed for two year old heifers.

C.O.R.—Certificate of Record—indicates that the test is carried out by the Department of Agriculture involving dteily weights and monthly testing of a checked 24 hour sample in up to 365 days. O.H.T.— Official Herd Test—The result of monthly weighing and testing by the Department of Agriculture, of' a checked 24 hour sample for 305 days. G.H.T. —Group Herd Test—obtained by monthly weighing and testing a 24 hour sample up to 305 days by the Herd Improvement Association. S.P.G.H.T. Special Pedigree Group Herd Test involves the same technique as the G.H.T., but includes a Check Test covering 48 hours. It is interesting that the accuracy of all systems of testing has been found by the Dairy Research Institute to be practically identical.