FOR THE DAIRY FARMER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 June 1924, Page 4

FOR THE DAIRY FARMER.

ELIMINATING ROBBER COWS. SPEYING OF COWS DISCUSSED. PART I. \Ye have been asked to reprint the salient portions of a couple of articles which appeared in the Waikato Times earlier in the year for the reason that there is a great deal to be said in favour oi the scheme for eliminating the robber cow by preventing her pei” petuating her kind. The subject matter is as follows: l 1 or some considerable time the question of speying culled cows has been occupying the attention of farmers. The scheme was organised by the Mormisville branch of the Farmers’ Union. At the outset it appealed likely to prove successful, but recent happenings tend to show the opposite result. On account of certain happenings the subject has been the cause of much discussion throughout various parts of “Progressive Waikato,” and it has been learned that several farmers who were in favor of the scheme at its inception are now dead against it. Of course the principle of the whole idea man excellent one, but it is contended that it could be carried out to better advantage if other methods were adopted. After a careful study of the question, and having made exhaustive enquiries amongst the farmers and herds concerned, the writer is convinced that there. is a method by which a lot of pain and trouble to the beast, and anxiety to the farmer, can be eliminated. Furthermore, it is contended that the scheme which will be outlined would be just as effective and mu'eh more merciful.

WHAT IS SPEYING A COW? Outside the immediate farming community perhaps it is safe to say that not one person in a thousand knows speying a cow means. Neither do they know for what purpose it is done. It is somewhat of a delicate subject to handle, but for the purpose of exposing the cruelty of it, and suggesting a method by which the present practice could be done away with, the writer feels that an explanation of the subject is necessary. . In short, speying a cow is performmg an operation unon her for the purpose of preventing" the animal from breeding. The reason for this is to permanently remove the “robbers”— cows that are practically useless—from herds. Whether a cow is any good or not is found out by testing. If she is not worth her keep as a milker she is called a “cull,” and in nine cases out of ten her owner wants to get rid of her. When she is in milk she is no good for beef, and her milk returns do not make her worth keeping. Hence the cow is designated a “robber.-’ ;

MANY “ROBBERS” IN A HERD. Up till quite recently there were many “robbers” in the average man’s herd. Scientific dairying has, however, been brought to such a fine art throughout “Progressive Waikato” tnat- the farmer knows exactly what each of his cows is doing in regard to returning him his cheque on the 20th of the month. As stated in a previous article, a cow takes 60 per cent of what she eats to keep herself, whilst the remaining 40 per cent goes into milk. If she is “eating her head off” and, in comparison with other cows in the herd, is giving practically no return, then it is better to be rid of her. Perhaps she is sent to a saleyard and put up for auction, and some unsuspecting “cockey” buys her, thinking he has purchased a good cow. She “comes in” next season " and after a few weeks’ milking he discovers he has got a “dud.” In turn he gets rid of the por brute, and thus the game goes on. In this fashion "many an unsuspecting farmer has built up a poor herd. It is with the laudable endeavour to improve the herds in the district that speying was suggested, and in many cases resorted to. By this means it "was thought that, seeing the cow in question would not be a milker next season, she could very veil he fattened for beef, and her value as such would be increased by two or three pounds. CRUEL METHODS CRITICISED. But those men who have ‘tried the game say they would not have any moie cows speyed for “all the tea, in China. Some of them spoken to sav emphatically that it is a cruel business. And so it is. No anaesthetic is used, and the whole operation savours ol being looked at as if it was all in the days work so to speak. Some of the cows the writer has seen looked sickly and miserable for days after the operation—if it could be called such m medical parlance. In certain cases death has resulted after much suffernig on the part of the animal. Manv ot the cows become deadly sick, thenmilk stopped coming, and" they would not eat. They could hardlv stand, and moving about appeared to* be. agony to them. During the sickness the cows gave oft a most unpleasant odour, -they upset the temper of the other animals in the herd, and kept up a continual moaning for days on end. borne relief was given the worst cases by a close of pure raw linseed oil: but they must have suffered untold pain m their quiet, silent way. Uo to the time ot writing the cause of the sickness and deaths is not known. It can readily be guessed, however, and the has not to travel very fur to do so. There is a strong expression or opinion that something should be V le nui tter, a ud meantime it would be better to postpone the scheme ti a better one is adopted, or at least till the cause of the trouble is ascertained.

WHY SHOULD COWS SUFFER? Not for a moment would sudftreatment be eveji thought of where a human being is concerned, therefore "hv should a dumb animal be allowed to suffer? Surely there are other methods just as sure tor preventing the ‘rmging-in' ’ of '‘robbers” at sale\ards. Many and varied have been the suggestions put forth, one of which is that all culled cows should bear a Government mark or brand. This scheme seems to be a good one. It is one that would be acceptable to the great majority of farmers. It is recognised that something must be done to improve the herds generally,, and there are very few farmers who are selfish enough not to take this view. If by testing a cow is discovered which should be speyed. surely the same cow c-ould be branded in such a way that the fact that she is a "robber” would be easily recognised. But the farmer might say, ‘how are we to know that that cow is not in calf? How do we know that she is not springing?” Of course here a difficulty is presented. But could not the "robber” be kept away from the bull ? Surely that is easy enough. It would mean a. little extra trouble and time, but surelv the means to the end—improved herds generallv and greater production—is worth it. ; \o there appears to be no reason for inflicting unnecessary agony and pain on cows by this speying process. If it lias to be done, then more humane

methods should be enforced or adopted. It’s a cruel business, even the hardest-hearted of farmers admitted that to the writer. And surely a way could easily be found by which the desired result could be obtained hv more merciful methods.

PART IE In these columns on January 19 th® question of speying cows was fully discussed, an dan endeavour was made to solve the difficult-'problem of providing a more merciful treatment to the animals concerned. Opposition was not taken to the piinciple involved, but to the methods adopted in cases round about the Morrinsvilie district which had come, under the writer’s immediate notice. It was mentioned that, at- the outset, the operation proved likely to be successful, but later happenings at that particular time tended to show opposite results. On account of those detrimental circumstances, however, the •subject became the cause of much discussion throughout the district mentioned. Subsequently it was learned that several farmers who were in favour of the scheme at its inception took the direct opposite view on account of that which had happened to their own and their neighbours’ cows. During the discussion is was stated emphatically that the principle was an excellent one, but it was contended that- the whole thing could be carried out with better results to the animals concerned. After making a careful study of the Question and instituting exhaustive inquiries among farmers and herds, the writer was convinced that theer must be a process by which a great deal of pain and trouble to the beast, and anxiety to the farmer, could surely be eliminated. Furthermore, it was contended that by a system of branding—Government or otherwise—the work could be made just as effective ancl much more merciful. Some seven weeks have passed since the article containing the first reference to speying cows appeared, and the writer, has gone further into the subject. Although still maintaining that a system of Government brapdmg could be adopted, he has been given proof, as far as it was possible to obtain it, that if properly handled by experts, and that if their instructions are carried out to the letter by farmers, the modern operation of speying cows is as merciful as it is possible to be without the use of an anaesthetic. According to authentic reports dealing with fat stock, it is reasonable to hold the opinion that there will be a dearth of fat. cattle m future. On the other hcrtid, there seems to be an abundance at the saleyards of old cows, cull dairy cows, and cows in low condition. The result has been that, in many cases, stock dealers, farmers and others have been tempted to buy up as man yolr- cows as possible at a cheap price, and fatten them by having them sneyed. Then, again, there are many “robbers’’ in milking herds, and endeavours are being made by farmers to get rid of cows that are no good as milkers and which are “eating their heads off.” As stated in article 21 of this series, perhaps a cow is sent to a saleyard and put up for auction. Some unsuspecting* “cocky” buys her, thinking he has purchased a good animal. Next season he discovers he has bought a. “dud,” and he in turn gets rid of her. And so it goes on. It ir. to try _ to stop this pernicious system, or habit, and yet add a few pounds to the value of a cow as beef that the operation of speying has been adopted. It is understood, however, that the drawback has always been that till recently real comeptent men could not be found to do the syeping in New Zealand. Some would spey from the side, which is not only very cruel, but is now also illegal, whilst otheirs would spey in a manner which is practically universally adopted. On account of their ■ limited knowledge, however, the job would be done in a most unsatisfactory manner, thereby not only cauisng a high percentage of actual losses, but also half-speying and ruining many valuable beef cows.

In order to allow the uninitiated to gain some knowledge of, the subject, it might be shortly explained that speying a cow is performing an operation upon her for the purpose of preventing the animal from breeding. The,reason for this is to permanently remove the “robbers” —cows that are practically useless —from milking herds. Whether a cow is any good or not is discovered by testing. If she is nut worth her keep as a milker she is called a “cull,” and in nine cases out of ten her owner wishes to get rid of her. When she is in milk she is no good for beef, ancl her milk returns do not make her worth having. Hence the cow is designated a “robber”—she is eating good feed and giving nothing in return. QUESTION OF BRANDING. Concerning the vexed question of branding, surely it would be easy enough to keep a branded cow away from the bull and thus orevent her from breeding. To this suggestion the writer has had numerous replies, the majority of which have been of an unfavourable nature. In addition, soino hundreds of farmers have been spoken to and interviewed on the subject, and they all agree, without exception, that it is practically an impossibility on tbs average farm to keen a cow away from the bull. Therefore it seems that,judging by what the majority of fanners now say, the writer has reluctantly to admit that the only way to keep a cow empty is to spey her. It seems strange that this should be so, but there it is.

DIFFERENT METHODS OF SPEYING. There are, of course,’ different ways of speying a cow. It is said that the easiest, and certainly the most cruel, way is to cut a hole’ in the animal’s side, perform the operation, and then stitch u ptlie wound with a. needle about the size of a packing needle. This most inhumane method of speying has been—and for that matter still is—in vogue quite a lot in this country, becaues it is easy to learn and practically every farmer can undertake the operation. Any man who has seen it effected will not hesitate to argue, if he has any ieeling at all, that that particular method is downright cruelty. The other operation, which experts contend is practically painless, Put about which they cannot say anything definite because “cows cannot talk,” is to spey per medium of a certain organ. It is a most difficult undertaking, so difficult indeed that if it is not 'performed by a specialist it is bound to result in absolute failure. Speying by this means was practised as far back as 1858, and those whose duty it has been to- study these things have expressed the opinion that it wa sat once recognised to me the only way. Since that time, however, scientists and ethers have maintained that the operation is not onlv bound to be a failure, if under-, taken by amateurs, but it will inflict upon the animal great uain. SUCCESSFIfL OPERATIONS RECORDED. It will be remembered that in the previous article oil the subject reference was only made to certain happenings in the Morrinsville district. On further investigations being pursu'd, tlie writer has learned that there are experts operating in New -Zealand who, it is said, have met with great success in other parts of "Progressive Waikato.” Not only.do all fanners who have seen these- experts at work agree

that the operation is made as humane as possible, or “practically painless,” as it has been .described; but they also point to results and state that only in rare- cases has it been found that animals suffer after the operation. In fact, reliable information has been obtained giving facts and figures in which it was stated that out of 1000 cows speyed on different farms in the Rotorua and other Waikato districts last season, only four died as a result of the operation. Particulars concerning these deaths and the places in which they occurred are as follows: One in Te Awamutu caused by internal bleeding; one in Rotorua, the cause of whieii was heart failure; and two at Ngnngo-t-aba from blood-poisoning. During the iast- few weeks a number of cows have been speyed in the Raglan district, and in all cases, it is reliably stated! the animals have walked away after the operation as if nothing very much had happened. It has also been particularly noticed that these same cows continued to milk very much as usual immediately subsequent to the operation.

WHAT CAUSED MORRINSYILLE.’S FAILURE ? How different are the above results in comparison to those which took place in the Morrinsvilie district. Taking the two , sets of information and oilcumstances together, and examinin'"and analysing them, is it not able to suppose that something must have been wrong in regard to the alleged failure in the Morrinsvilie district? On facts submitted to-day has it not been proved conclusively that the blame should not have been altogether laid at the door of spe3 - ing itselt? what, then, was the cause of the trouble in the district- referred to? It has been learned that the scheme has been organised by other branches of the banners’ Union in “Progressive » aikato, and apparently with the exception ot some of the cows on farms in the Morrinsvilie district, it lias proved in the- main, successful in other parts ot New Zealand also. EXPERTS CAN BE ENGAGED. For the information of those who do not know it might be interesting for them to lea-rn that there is a certain firm operating in “Progressive Waikato which has made and are making speying a specialty. They go to any farm for any number of cows no matter how small. The cows are speyed in just the ordinary cowshed, without being roped in any shape or toim, with the exception of bailing them up as usual. After the operation e^ h . cow is branded with the firm’s official speying brand, so that each ani'naJ can be recognised at once by everybody. This method is a guarantee that a, cow has been ancf is speyed—it is a guarantee to both vendor and buyer in the saleyard. And it is here where the unsuspecting farmer going to a sale for the purpose of buying cows is protected against fraud. When he notices a brand on a cow which signifies that she is empty, he knows that she is in that condition. On the other hand, the farmer knows and realises that he will not be purchasing “duel” or culled milkers and be “had” by paying a big price for them.

FUTURE SPEYING OPERATIONS. It is claimed that because of its success in general speying has now tr 6n i U P Ij .v tile New Zealand Herd testing Association, with headquarters in. Hamilton. This particular body advocates sueynig every cow below the minimum test. The idea is an excellent one for systematically improving the herds, but there is stdl the question to be answered: Is the method adopted m speying the most humane which can be used? Cannot some scheme be evolved by which the bfcast would not suffer any pain, or much Jess of it? As to actual losses, it- is maintained that more tlian half of these occur because the average farmei does not carry out the- instruction: given by an expert in the business. The writer has been informed by one of these experts with, whom he came in touch that before the operation cows should be starved, and also kept from water for at least 12 hours. Subsequent to the happening, cows should not for the first few days, he nut on teed which is too plentiful. " They should also be kept i - a sheltered paddock in order to keep the hot sun or the cold rain off their backs for two days at least. In addition, they should neither be driven hard nor ‘‘dogged” for about a week after the operation. I erhaps it is on account of farmers in the Morrinsvilie district not having the above instructions or information given to them, as well as other things, that the poor cows thereabouts suffered so much. It is- interesting to note, however, that there are at least over a thousand more cows to be operated upon in the Yaikato’bv one firm alone It has also been ascertained that fully 600 are to be done at Mas ter ton and over 2000 in North Auckland, togethei with large numbers in other districts in the Auckland province,- It has been pioved that cows which have hitherto been thin will fatten in a very short time when successfully and scientificallv and also that they will realise from £4 to £5 more than they would under, ordinary circumstances. Judging by the number of cows which have been booked for speying. there must .helve been, «ni(J still fr T€Eit number of “duds” and “robbers” in M aikato as well as Auckland dairy herds. No wonder some of the struggling “copkies’’ cannot make a do of things. Some of them must have been “had” badly when they bought cull cows which thev were t' o ld were "ood ones. &

On page 12 of this issue will he jound an ad\'ertisement -which has a bearing upon the matters discussed in the above articles.