FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 261, 10 December 1909, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

HERD-TESTING. REPORT OF DALEFIELD ASSOCIATION. The third monthly report of the Dalefield Herd-testing Association has been issued by the Dairy Divisidn of the Department of Agriculture* This shows that the cows in the test are still doing excellent work. The summary indicates an average yield per cow which is much the same as for October. For that month, with thirty-one days, the average I cow produced forty-one pounds of fat, whereas in thirty days in November she produced 39.411b. The best herd for November averaged 13091b of milk, testing 3.04 per cent., and yielding 47.701'b of fat per cow. Th 3 avelrage cow of the herd with the lowest yield produced 10401b of milk, testing 3.35 per cent., and yielding 30.031b of fat. The cow giving the largest yield, as calculated for the month, produced 20931b of milk, testing 3.3 iper cent., and yielding 69.071b of fat. The lowest yield during the month was from a cow producing 4201b of milk, testing 3.0 per cent., and yielding 15.121b of fat. The best herd, according to the first month's test (that is, giving the 'highest butter-fat average), gave an average of 38.831b of fat that month, against 42.13 in October and"39.84 in November. The best herd in October was the best herd last month, giving 47.251b of fat in October and 47.701b last month. It ran very close to putting up the best work in the first month, its average yield of fat then being 38.0filb, against 38.831t> of the leading herd.

Some indication of the amount cropping for winter feed to be done in our great dairying industry may now he nmiratclv stated as' the result of eonstunt tours through the country (says tlie Hawera Star) Maize appears to agnin be a popukr crop, and will occupy alarger area. Turnips and mangels will again" occupy increased areas, this 'being chiefly consequent on the new farms that have been brought in for dairying, which were previously used for pastoral purposes. Another factor is that farms' arc being more closely stocked, so that more cropping is imperative. Oat crops for liav are now being cut, and ensilage and haymaking operations will shortly commence, the paddocks now showing au excellent growth.