THE DAIRY HERD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4857, 24 July 1925, Page 4

THE DAIRY HERD.

MATTER OF SELECTION. POINTS THAT COUNT. Good individuals of whatever breed is selected should have first consideration by the man about to launch hhntoclf into the dairy business (says the United States Department of Agriculture). As between breeds, .there, are three points that should be. considered : (l)The breed that predomniates in the locality where the new breed i£ to be located; (2) personal preference; and (3) market requirements for the produc. t . There are a number of advantages to a dairyman in having the same breed as his neighbours have. A dairyman just starting with purebreds may feel that since his neighbours have one breed of cattle he should get another breed so as to have a monopoly in the business of selling breeding stock. There is no question about the monopoly, but there would be no business to monopolise. It is difficult for an isolated small .farmer to dispose of his stock to advantage, while if there are many breeders with the same breed buyers are attracted to the locality .because of the better, chance of getting the desired animals from one.or more ot the several breeders. Other advantages in having the same breed as the neighbours are the opportunity to exchange bulls or to own good bulls in co-operation ; to take advantage of breed sales of surplus stock; and, lastly, the advantage of bringing the community together- in other endeavours which usually, result where there is but one breed.. •

Because a man ; will, usually do best with a breed that he likes it is well to give this personal preference the right of way when there is no Bther breed nlready established, providing, however, that just as high-quality animals are available in the preferred breed as in some other breed.

In summing .up the matter of which breed to select this point should be kept in mind r there are good cows and poor cows in all breeds, and, other things being equal, the breeder or the dairyman who gets good individuals to begin with will, have a' good chan'ce of success, no matter what breed he selects.