FARM AND DAIRY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 118, 11 January 1932, Page 2

FARM AND DAIRY

NOTES OF THE PRODUCER. VALUE OF HERD TESTING. Figures compiled by the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture provide a striking demonstration of what group herd-testing has done for farmers participating in it. The most striking lesson is the steady increase in production of th'e herds of members. The inereased production between the 1927-28 season and the 1929-30 season represents ■ an added income to members of just on £100,000 -calculatirig butterfat at a shilling a pound. As might he expected, the figures showing the re- ; duction in the lpwer producers and the increase in the higher producers indicates the rapidly increasing standard of the herds. The percentage of cows giving 1501b to 2001b of fat i in 1927-28 was 22.32 per cent., where^ i as in 1929-30- it was 16.19 per cent. ! On the other hand, the per cent a'ge of cows giving 3001b to 3501b went from 10,79 per cent. "in 1927-28 to 15.73 per cent in 1929-30. An interesting thing in the figures is the increase shown in the average length of testing period, showing that the cows are being milked longer, for whjeh satisfactory feature calf marking is no doubt responsible. These figures illustrate in a very striking manner the money value pf hprd testing. The inoreased production it has hrought about (with practically no increase in expenditure) has not only paid the comparatively small cost, but should show a very handscme ' return, to say nothing of the many indirect advantages that follow in the train of herd testing . High Testing Milk. In a bulletin recently issued by the British Ministry of Agriculture on the cheese industry appears this statement: "The importance of high butter fat content in milk, both in securing a high yield and a good quality of cheese, has led many factories to adopt schemes of payment for sup- ' plies on a basis of butter fat content." The above statement indicates that the milk of the lower-testing breeds is sometimes too low for the making of the best quality cheese .

Great Monthly Average. What is probably a record for the number of cows has been established by a herd of 82 pedigree Jerseys, which averaged 521b in one recent month under group herd test. The herd, which is the property of Mr. F. Hoskin, Matapu, Taranaki, is managed under ordinary dairying conditions and its excellent performance furnished striking evidence of the high standard to which the productive ability of our cattle can be raised. Cattle Need Sait. Experiments carried on many years ago by Babcock and his associates at the Wisconsin Experiment Station, U.S.A., were.the first to show conclusively that cattle normally need an additional supply of common salt beyond the amount normally contained in the various feeds they eat. In these experiments when cattle were maintained on their usual ration, except that no salt was added, after several months injurious effects on their health were readily apparent. They were saved from disaster by supplying salt. More recently various other scientists have shown the need for salt for other classes of live stock, notably pigs.

100LB. FAT IN MONTH. The rarely accomplished feat of producing over 1001b butter fat in one month has been achieved by a four-year-old pedigree Jersey, who yielded no less than 110.101b fat in the 31 day period, according to the latest Merit List issued hy the Department of Agriculture. This young cow, Woodlands Felecie, the propei'ty of the Taranaki breeder, Mr. P. J. Peterson, has been in milk only 74 days and in that short period she has produced 226.631b fat, which is well above the New Zealand average for the full twelve months. Present indications are that Woodlands Felecie will reach the coveted four figure mark, which, for one of her age, will create a new record for the Dominion. Woodlands Felecie is by an imported bull, Bright Sultan from a granddaughter of an imported bull in Viola's Golden Laddie. The "Safe" Bull. It is rightly said that the only safe bull is a dead one; so, however well behaved he is, never trqst him too far. Train him early to lead. Handle the bull with firmness, but do not misuse him. Do not drive him with a pitch fork, or annoy him when he is tied. Like elOphantS, bulls have memories and can be dflngerons. Cure for Bad Udders. The following treatment for bad udders was evolved by Mrs. Hastings, of Morrinsville, and is said to be remarkably effective, reports the Dairyfarmer. The details of this "homemade" treatment are as follows: — - Four cakes of camphor finely crushed and dissolved in a very little boiling water. To this add a teaspoonful of Condy's crystals. Then a quart bottle of turpentine (preferably spirits ,of turpentine). Add, lastly, a quai't bottle of crude castor oil. Gently simmer for almost an hpur. When cool.it should have the appearance of treacle. Apply to swollen quarteras and rub daily until swelling disappears.