ON JUDGING COWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 853, 27 June 1910, Page 10

ON JUDGING COWS.

SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. '. A lecture on "How to Judgo a Dairy Cow" was given, at. tho show grounds .. at Palmersten on Wednesday' by Mr. S. R. ' Lancaster, of Palmerston. Tho lecture af>tracted a larger attendacne than did any other'fixture in connection with the National Dairy Association's Conference. Mr. Lancaster ■ had two. of his. own prize. Jersey cows with him for the purpose of illustrating his remarks. While admitting.. that somo of the best milking cows were exceptions to tho general rules, he listed a number of the points usually, marking, tho best.dairy cows as follow:— Head: Neat, well-shaped, and not too large. Nostrils: Wide and fairly large. Eyes: Prominent and lively,. Forehead: Wide, dished between eyes, ears well placed, and a nice orange colour inside. Neck: Fine, rather long, well sot in the shoulders. Brisket: Deep and neat, not too fleshy, full behind tho shoulders, giving plenty of heart room. Shoulders: Flat and fine on top. Back: Straight and level, and broad at hips. Ribs: Well sprung and deep, giving plenty of room for food supply. Body: Deep, level, and wedge-shaped. Skin: Fine and soft, mellow to tho touch, and of a nice orange colour. Hair: Fine and soft. Tail: Wei! set on at pin bones, which should be broad; tail long and tapering, reaching well below the hock, with a good switch. Thighs: Wide and open, allowing plenty of room for milk vessel with a nice curve. Milk vessel (the most important part): Large, well shaped, flatish, and deep, extending well forward and back, with teats of good size, about 2,} to 3 inches long; well sot on at cornershanging straight down with a good space between each in a heifer; teats should have a tendency to point inxards. Milk veins: Prominent and rather twisted, extending well along the belly and entering into the body.