JERSEY COWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5315, 20 August 1928, Page 1

JERSEY COWS.

BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION.

ADDRESS BY MR.~’w. J. HALL.

At the conclusion of business at the meeting of the Thames Valley jersey Breeders’ Club at Paeroa yesterday an interesting address on “Pedigree Jersey Cows” was given by Mr W. J. Hall, of Matatoki, who is a" successful breeder and show-ring expert. e In commencing his address Mr Hall said that after being closely associated with such notable, breeders a,s Messrs A. El. Missen, Spragg, H. Moreland, Whitehouse, and others', he had not only gained valuable information but was more than ever convinced tihat the Jersey was the finest c'ow in the land for the dairy-fartaier. At a demonstration at the Auckland Show there had been four, cows with a total butter-fat record of 288011 b, or an average of 7201 b fat per cow, which, computed at Xs 6d a lb, showed a return of £54 pei’ cow —truly a good record. Many people asked if good cows reproduced themselves. In contending that they did, Mr Hall quoted the well-known cow Jewel’s Mystery, which had a record of 814*lb fat and was tile winner of two gold medals and one silver, medal. Her daughter, Mystery Golden Girl, gave 7541 b fat; her daughter put up 7701 b fat; and her granddaughter 5541 b fat. Therefore fquii generations showed a total of 28921 b fat. He also quoted such cows as Belvedere Bilberry, Vivandere, Larkspur, and others, the descendants of which, as authentic records showed, were heavy producers. Special mention was made of Dominion Flo, which produced 6371 b of fat as a nine-year-old, while her daughter Golden Floss averaged 6631 b, and her granddaughter Treasure' Lass It was only necessary to make a study of semi-official records to, learn; that the Jersey cow did reproduce her but-ter-fat production, qualities under proper conditions. Certificates of Record had been awarded to 1600 Jerseys, which, under semi-official test, 'had hosiwn the average production of 5591 b butter-fat. The next highest breed, with a, teta' number of 1578 certificates, had produced an average of 4731 b butter-fat, the difference in favour of the Jersey being 861 b. The results of the' last certified official record testing, season had proved that the Jersey was still supreme among dairy breeds. GOOD STOCK. The Speaker said that “Buy the best ,a,n.d breed them better” should! be the slogan of every Jersey breezier. It was recognised that cheap cattle we r e seldom a bargain. Deep-bodied cows, with good type an.d plenty of capacity, were the most profitable. ,to own. Cattle of such quality might cost more, but the profits from the sale of milk and surplus stock wefie much greater. Go.od tools d(.i,d not make, a good workman, but a skilled workman could be readily handicapped by poor equipment. In dairying the same principle applied. A dairyman, might waste many years working with poor cattle, whereas excellent progress couldl be made with good stock. The progressive breeder or dairyman commanded a high average, production with a steady market fcjr both products and surplus stock. SELECTION OF STOCK. In selecting a productive and profitable dairy cow five essential points should be' considered, said Mr Halil. Constitution. The cow was, the hardest worked animal on the farm. She must have a strong constituticji to produce largely, persistently, and profitably. Constitution was indicated by large, open, well-distended nostrils, well sprung -fore rib apd deep heart girth, signifying room for large hea,rt and lungs ; also large windpipe and breadth of chest were necessary. Secondly, capacity. A cow never produced a pound of milk from anything other than feed. Other things beingequal, the more feed a cow ate the greater would be her yield. Therefore it w.as essential that a cow should be capacious. Capacity was indicated by a large mouth and. a strong jaw, denoting a good feeder ; a body that was long and deep, with ribs fart apai’t, and a loose, pliable, elastic-hide covered with soft, silky hair, denoting power of digestion. Thirdly, temperament. Dairy .temperament was a characteristic which determined whether a caw was a worker or loafer. It was indicated by a broad, well-d’ished face,, light, bright, prominent eyes, freedom from flesh alqng the back, with openjointed, prominent veretebrae, and prominent hips, wide apart.

Fourthly, blood circulation. It was essential that a large volume of b’loe,d. carrying food nutriments from the digestive system, flowed to .the uddfer, where these nutriments were converted into milk and butter-fat. Good circulation was indicated by prominent veining on the udder, large, long, and crooked elastic milk -veins, with numer&us large- milk wells. Fifthly, ability. When used in connection with dairy cows, ability referred to the powers of manufacturing milk. Ability was indicated by an udder of quality texture-, attached high behind and carried well forward. A long, broad udder between thi'n, welH-ainched thighs was a desirable attribute.

In; the course of answering questions Mr Hall quoted the names of famous cows, and also, figures, to show that the Jersey cow was, in h.is opinion, the ideal animal for the farmer.

A hearty vote of thanks was accor/Ied Mr Hall for his address. At the request of the president (Mr E. Hofmann) Mr G. Buchanan undertook to give a,n address on “Progressive Breeding" at the September meeting.