BAY OF PLENTY FARMS SEEN IN DAIRYING FILM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 91, 4 September 1950, Page 5

BAY OF PLENTY FARMS SEEN IN DAIRYING FILM

The need for good feeding, careful management and soundly-bred cattle as essentials for top production, was stressed in a film entitled "Breeding Better Dairy Cattle," which was shown to an audience of farmers in the Whakatane district.

In introducing the film, the consulting officer for the N.Z. Dairy Board, Mr W. H. Mandeno, of Whakatane, said that quite a number of shots had been taken in the course of routine visits to sheds on Bay of Plenty farms. It had been screened at Edgecumbe, Tauriko and at Katikati.

In a running commentary Mr Mandeno explained that the film was a tribute to those breeders whose herds have been developed on breeding principles designed to improve the quality of the commercial dairy herds. identical Twins The identical twin experiments at Ruakura were featured said Mr Mandeno and breeding differences. The first year proved the similar production of identical twins under similar treatment and thus ensured that later treatment under differing conditions would be truly reflected in production levels. Three separate feeding levels were tajen and the pairs split to measure the effects. Differences due to feeding were shown by the averages of mates on each level. Group A 100 lbs fat more than Group B and 130 lbs more than Group C.

Within each treatment the breeding affected the ability of the individuals so that the effect of breeding in the three could be ascertained by averaging the top and bottom half of each feeding level to obtain the following differences: 120; 100 and 80 for A, B and C respectively. Of course, he continued, the individual differences were greater—especially where a good cow was matched with one afflicted by an undershot jaw on the heavily stocked C treatment. Several such features of importance to commercial farming were stressed in the film. First as the undershot paw is so undesirable under grazing conditions the effect of feeding levels on conformation of the udder and on apparent "constitution" of bulls is clearly shown With the identical twins, the lecturer explained.

The effect of good proven bulls in a herd was well shown by shots of the several groups of young cattle that will ensure profitable returns for many years to a farmer who has tested daughters of his bulls. With good "Merit Sires" and well- tested dams, studs are in a favoured position for supplying to the industry young bulls that are better than average bets.

To make the most of available good bulls, artificial insemination was discussed as a means of assisting breeders with good cows to offer more reliable bulls. The principles of sound breeding were demonstrated in the Show Ring. Classes for Merit bulls, judged on their progeny and three-generation Merit cows were included in the programme. Replacing Herd Sire

The problem facing a successful farmer with a good herd, when he loses his herd sire and requires a replacement, was dealt with in a practical way. The assitance he can obtain from the Merit Register, Mr Mandeno explained is typical of what is happening to an increasing degree throughout the country. Using the Merit Register as ' a basis to find studs which obviously must have produced good stock, it is important, he said, to visit the stud and to see the breeding matrons. Evidence of the feeding and management levels in comparison with the home farm were readily assessed. Thus with the qualities required in his own herd firmly in mind a farmer may select a bull. Having spent time, money and patience in selecting a herd sire then surely he is worth keeping till he is proven, said Mr Mandeno in conclusion. The gamble is reduced by careful selection, but no one can say till the sire's daughters have been tested whether he will be a herd wrecker or the sire of pro-fit-makers ten years hence.