THE CULL COW.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4535, 5 March 1923, Page 2

THE CULL COW.

ITS DISPOSAL. MATTER OF REPLACEMENT. Thb cull cow and its disposal is the subject of an article by Mr A. R. Young, M.R.C.V.S., Director of the Live-stock Division, which appears in the “N.Z. Journal of Agriculture.” Mr Young writes:— The subject of the proper disposal of all cull cows, in such a, manner as to prevent their being resold for dairying purposes, has been before the farming community for a considerable time without any definite Solution of the problem being arrived at.. The fact that it is just as important, and more economical, to prevent the necessity for culling as it- is to find means for the disposal of such cows has suggested that it might assist if attention were drawn to the many agid various causes contributing to make up this class of unprofitable animals. Before discussing the disposal of cull cows it is necessary to point out that if legislation is to be enacted for this purpose a definite standard must be fixed as to what constitutes a cull. No progress can be made until this is decided, and it is a matter of some difficulty, for what one breeder who has been culling for years considers a cull cannot generally be accepted as a standard for the beginner, at least for some years to come. The matter of replacement is a serious consideration, as the first man’s culls might be considered by the other tc be as good as his own best. This position might be met by the formation of an "A" and a “B” grade, leaving “C” to represent culls. With a recognised first and second grade if milking animals the position would be simplified, but would still leave sufficient difficulties for serious consideration before a working scheme could be adopted which would promise a fair measure of success. In considering some of the agencies which tend to bring about unfavourable conditions it must be recognised that the selection of milking strains will not by itself (although it is an important factor) be sufficient without co operation in other because, while many animals are fated from birth to be unprofitable, a very large number are not. These latter are afterwards made so by sheer bad management at some period or other of their existence, and not on account of any inherited anatomical or physiological disabilities. Therefore, although careful selection for milking propensities may have been made, it is still important that every precautoin should be taken to look after the animal’s welfare so as to prevent her from becoming unprofitable. This can be done only by educating the stockowner in the most up-te-date methods of stock management suitable for the requirements of New Zealand conditions. Here is the weakest link in the whole' chain of the dairy industry at the present time, and the matter should receive prompt attention if we are ever tp attain a general improvement in quantity and quality of milk. Ma,ny of the causes operating to make unprofitable cows could be prevented by the stockowners themselves if they would only recognise that proper stock management is both interesting and profitable, and conducive not only to the health and comfort of the animals, but also to the owners’ pleasure and that of everyone connected with their establishment. It is recognised that a short article such as the present one cannot contribute much to the farmer’s knowledge of stock management, but if it merely arouses his interest in the subject the object of these notes-will have been attained.

The use of a bull about whose history little or nothing is known is to be at once condemned. True, some use these animals just because they wan.t their cows in calf and have no intention of rearing the calves, but, on the othei' hand, it is a fact that they frequently change their mind as to the selling of some of the cows or the rearing of a few calves for sale; or, seeing a goojd-looking heifer calf, they may decide'to keep her. This Is probably a small but a contributing factor in the production of unprofitable cows, and I have known instances where such a bull did not confine his activities to his own herd, but devoted a considerable amount of attention to adjoining herds. Would it not, therefore, be advisable that some action be taken in the direction of registration of all bulls other than purebred ? This would allow owners who desire to keep what they consider a good grade bull to dp so ; but if upon inspection by competent officers it is decided that any bull other than > pedirgeed stock is unfit for registration such decision should be followed by compulsory castration or slaughter. This ,in my opinion, would be only a reasonable precaution to protect owners who are doing their best to build up a good herd, and would relieve the dread of many stockmen of the scrub bull upsetting their calculations and thereby causing serious delay to the object they have in view.