BUTTER-FAT PRODUCERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1735, 28 April 1913, Page 8

BUTTER-FAT PRODUCERS.

WHICH IS THE BEST COW? Replying to a query as to which is the best butter-tilt cow, the Dairy Produce Division of the Department of Agriculture says:—"lt may be suitl that there is no 'best' breed ,oi" dairy cattle -amongst the various breeds of the TJolstein, Jersey, etc., type of stock, for there arc unprofitable as well as profitable cows amongst all breeds ol' dairy cattle. As a breed, the Jerseys are noted for a high percentage of butter-fat in their mill;, but it does not follow I hot these cows give a higher aggregate quantity of fat in a, given period than other well-known breed.-, and, after all, it is a total quantity given that counts. There are first-class cows among ull, breed-, including Jerseys, (.luenisey.-. Ilillsteins, Ayrshire*, etc.,'and the only true test of value is to produce a record of Die quantity of both milk and 'butterfat given by a cow for her wholo period of lactation, by-weighing and testing the milk. In choosing a special breed of dairy cattle the class o[ bind io be used lias to be taken into consideration. I'or instance, it would be urnviso to select ono of the heavier breeds, such as the .llol■stein, for lightish land or that which is 100 hilly. On such country one of tho lighter breeds woulJl bo more serviceable. Then, again, a farmer when making his (.election is who in being guided to some extent by the class of cattle in which he may have a special interest. Ifeavy ani, nulls, of course, usually require more food lo maintain their bodies than do those of lighter breed, but; just what Diet iinounf may lie is not delinitely known, so Jar as we lire aware. A Jersey cow giving i;il(ll)ll>. fit milk, testing , r i per cent., in a season would produce .'loolb. of 'fat, while a l(nlsl"in giving fllitltllb. of milk; Icsling J.li per cent., would do equailv well and produce lit)Ill>. in a season. \Vlieii considering I lie extra fuel required by the larger cow, however, allowance .-hould be made for the value of Die extra quantity of by-product that would be available from her milk