SHOW RING AND PRODUCTION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 278, 25 May 1917, Page 4

SHOW RING AND PRODUCTION

During the past year there has been an unusual amount of discussion in dairy and breed publications over the old question of the relative merits of show-ring standards and production records in cows, and some very strong expressions have come from those holding to either side. There are those who' are willing to stake everything on the show-ring, which is based upon external evidence of production that we call dairy conformation or type. There are other extremists who don't care what a cow looks like so long as she " delivers the goods."

As in most controversies the sensible course lies somewhere between these extreme views. On the average the good producing cows in the world have a composite conformation that would, no doubt, come very close to the theory of the show-ring standards. There is, however, no an immense number of extraordinary producing cows are striking exceptions to ehow-ring ideals, and it is only through the test and the scales that they are recognised. Summed up, we might say that as at the present time only one cow in a thousand is tested, we must be governed largely by the external indications of dairy quality in cows, and we must continue to educate our dairymen in determining cow values on this basis. But the trouble is that the controversy continues to work against the show-ring, which is one of our best agencies for the advancement of dairying and the improvement of dairy cows. Those who see production would destroy it if they had their way, while the show-ring advocates, by awarding prizes, even if onljfcoccasionally, to inferior producers, are making a joke of it in the eyes of many practical dairymen. The showing of dairy cattle must be maintained by all means. "Would not a compromise settle the question? Let us suggest that poor producers be eliminated from the show-rings regardless of their excellence of conformation or type. There are now many thousand of purebred dairy cows in this country with official records. From out of this vast number it should be possible to pick animals to make creditable showings at fairs and shows even by establishing a fairly stiff minimum production record as a requirement for entry. We do not hesitate suggesting that any cow in which an owner has not had enough confidence to place her on test has no place in a dairy cow exhibition; she should first qualify as a dairy cow.—"Pacific Dairy Review."