Improving the Breed of Dairy Cattle.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 506, 20 August 1902, Page 2

Improving the Breed of Dairy Cattle.

Sir, At the meeting of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, held last Saturday, a resolution on this subject passed by the Patutahi branch was discussed. The suggestion that the Government should be asked to supply bulls for that purposo did not meet with full approval, although it was allowed that in some instances the Government had done so. It was considered that the want could be met by the A. and P. Society arranging with the owners of bulls suitable for that purpose. If this could be arranged, it would seem that the object sought could bo obtained. Before anything final could bo arranged, the owners of dairy stock must decide the class of animals required, and this could be done at meetings of the different branches. In deciding tbo point of suitability, the one point of milking capacity should not only be considered, but the value of the steers and heifers of the different breeds should be added to that of milking capacity beforo a final conclusion is arrived at. There are, I think, four classes of cattle generally I approved of as dairy cows. Shorthorn, Alderney, Ayrshire, and Jersey. The dairys that I have noticed are of various classes, and it will be impossible to get a sire to suit all, but by judicious weeding out the object may be attained within a reasonable time. I am not an authority on the Alderney or Jersey, although remembering those introduced into England by Mr Fowler some time ago, the farmers and

graziers in my part of England would have nothing to do with them. The points to be considered in a dairy cow are, I take it, supply and quality of milk, value of steers and heifers, and the value of the cow for fattening purposes after she has served her time at the dairy. With the Shorthorn I am familiar from my youth up, and partially so the Ayrshire. If starting a dairy myself it would be with Shorthorns, and, if possible, with pure bred dams. It is well-known amongst breeders that the dam in most cases throws more l'uiC i ß rself than the sire.

There is also the fact to be borne in mind that the present successful condition of the dairy industry may receive a check. The other nations are competing for the Home market, and it may be the dairy business will become as profitless as woolgrowing ; but with this disadvantage, the sheepfarnrer has still a market for wellbred mutton, while the dairyman would not know what to do with those of his cattle that would not fatten. The question of sires should be dealt with by the I Fanners’ Unions as soon as possible, in order to secure some benefit this season. In any important matter the Press' columns are open to us, and I take it tbal the matter will be better considered thal way in all its details than at meetings, where some material points may be overlooked.—l am, ece., T. W. Bilham.