BEST MILCH COW.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1536, 4 September 1912, Page 10

BEST MILCH COW.

A CHALLENGE CUP.

(By Telicraph.—Ssaolol Oorrtfßondtol.l Chrlstchurch, September 2. A handsome silvor challenge cup, valued at fifty guineas, has been offered by the Alfa Laval Company to the. dairy farmers of New Zealand for the best milch cow in tho Dominion. The eond!tions are that tho winner shall hold the oup for twelvo months, and the first to' win the cup three times, not necessarily in'succession, or with the same animal, becomes tho absolute.owner. The judging of tho cows would be on the annual money value of their butter production only, and no notice would bo taken of the breed, age, conformation, etc., of tho animals entered for tho competition. These conditions seem to be as simple aa they could possibly bo made, and yet Mr. Stewart, of Mason, Strtithors and Co., of Christchiirch, who has possession' of the cup, finds that under the present conditions of the dairy industry, it seems almost impossible to organise the competition, and thus the prfze is going begging. The great obstacle is the lack of any reliable association to 'carry out the testing of the cons entered. Cow-testing associations, which ar© practically uni<versal in tho dairying countries in Europe, and which render such a competition easy to manage there, are but few and far between in the North Island, and none, are'existent in the South. ■The principal' A. and P. Associations seem willing to help, but they want to keep tho competition for their own provinces. As the test is to extend for twelve months, the poor nian who may have a likely champion is put out of court because he cannot afford to send his cow to the centre chosen. Tho dairy division ; of the Agricultural Department apparently cannot .we its way to spare officials to conduct tests or to help in any way, and the most hopeful scheme has been propounded by Mr. J. G. Wilson (president of the Farmers' Union), who has promised to put the matter before all the branches of the union. It was thought that it might be possible to form local committees in each, district from which ■cows, were entered for. competition to superintend . the arrangements, and the testing could be carried out by various factory managers who were convenient. It is obvious ihat very careful regulations would have' to be framed to give perfect uniformity-'and reduce the chances of "working a point" to the minimum, and also to give the poorest man an equal chance with the wealthiest. Any suggestions . would be cordially received by Mr. Stewart, who is very keen to get the competition under way.