FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 89, 23 July 1910, Page 7

FARM AND DAIRY

THE AYRSHIRE AS A I:\UIY IUIEKD.

With present loud prices uml rents the dairyman of Taranaki is fast recognising that he must have the best—and only the best—breeds of cattle in his herd. Writing on thi.- übjeet, '• Farmer," in the Hawera Star, ; ves the following interesting information:— ''lt is readily conceded ti.afr purebred stock sire expensive compared with the purchase of ordinary animals, but the returns are so overwhelmingly proportionate as to be an indisputable proof of the wisdom of breeding and keeping the best stock obtainable. And the number of pure-bred herds now established in Taranaki is substantial evidence that dairy farmers have realised it is a wise policy to keep only the better class- of animals. Those who could not afford to purchase extensively have been doing the next best thing, and that was to secure a few purebreds or perhaps only a purebred bull, thus entering on an era of increased efficiency of the dairy herd. Notwithstanding the (fact that the qualities of other breeds of dairy animals such as the Jersey, Holstein, Guernsey and Shorthorn, have been loudly acclaimed from time to time, the Ayrshire has prominently maintained its position as one of the foremost breeds of dairy cows. The Ayrshire is well known as an excellent dairy cow, and for hardiness of constitution has a notable record. In this connection the remarks of a local breeder who keeps the cattle referred to are worthy of publica-tion../-"'He* says: 'On cold, rough days 1 have; 1 noticed the Ayrshire cattle grazing out in the paddocks whilst other breeds, suchMS the Shorthorn and Jersey, were seeking shelter under the live hedges, etc. *' Then the Ayrshire will thrive on scanty fare, and will do well where the other- breeds mentioned lose condition and become impoverished.' "Among those farmers who cannot afford to go in altogether for purebred stock the Ayrshire finds much favor as I being an excellent eross. There is diversity of opinion as to- which cross produces the better animal for dairying purposes, and a good deal of experimenting is still being proceeded with. In connection with the Ayrshire a leading authority, remarks: 'For dairy purposes in cheese districts the Ayrshires are justly celebrated; indeed, they seem to possess the power of converting the elements of food more completely than any other breed into cheese and butter.'

"The Ayrshire will be still more valuable in our cheese districts if the casein test is considered along with that for butter-fat, and this feature may be Introduced in the not distant future. M the Wisconsin Experimental Farm, the Ayrshire, Holstein and Brown Swiss tattle were proved to be the best for cheese purposes. These breeds had a higher percentage of casein to fat (casein is that ingredient in milk which when coagulated forms curd and the main part of cheese) thr.n had the Jersey or Guernseys, though some individual animals ot the latter" breeds had as high a record as the individual animals of the other breeds mentioned:

"That it is desirable to have purebreds for dairying purposes if circumstances will allow most practical farmers will readily admit. They eagerly point to the best bred cow in their herd as being the most remunerative. Year after year our dairy herds are steadily showing increased efficiency consequent on the good stock introduced and retained in the district. Many of our prominent settlers have been enterprising to a degree in this respect, and are reaping their due reward, not only financially, but in having advanced the industry considerably. The recent decision, therefore, of a South Taranaki farmer in entering on the dairy business is worthy of more than passing attention. "A short time ago I stated that a district farmer had resolved to go in for dairy farming with Ayrshire cattle, and had'started at the right end, tnat was to say, with excellent stock. 1 now name' Mr. P. A. Bremer, of the Armadale Stud Farm, Okaiawa. For the past few months he has bee>i building up his herd, and intends to milk 150 or more cows during the coming season. I intend to give particulars concerning some of these animals, 'as Mr. Bremer has started at a point of efficiency it has taken ' our most successful dairy farmers many, many years to attain. We have a large number of Jersey fanciers throughout ; Taranaki, and it is somewhat refreshing '■ to meet an Ayrshire enthusiast. Mr, ; Bremer has not only purchased locally, •but even went as far away as the South ; Island to secure suitable animals. His ' purchases also include three yearling ' bulls from Mr. A. N. Robertson (Wanja- ' nui), 30 cows and heifers, five 2-year and three yearling pedigree bulls from Mr. A. C. Johnstone (Aufoa). The .stud bull Admiral was lately bought from Mr. J. Parlane, Gowan Bank, Cashmere. I have before me as I write a lengthy list showi ing the lineage of other noted dairy cows and their progeny that are included in : the herd, but those I have quoted give a ; fair indication of the high quality stock ' Mr. Bremer has taken such pains to i secure. I predict for 'Mr. Bremer an i auspiciou career in connection with dairy : farming, and the confidence expressed by

his action in the futur< 'if the industry should prove stimulating to others, anil may be well emulated. "Several of Mr. Bremer's cows and heifers have just come into milk, and it is his intention to keep the stud animals quite apart from the main herd. By this means he will he able to keep correct records of each cow's ability as a dairy animal, and tho result will be watched with interest by other dairymen. A. strong point in favor of the Ayrshire is the very uniform shape of the udder and teats. Where milking machines are used—and the day has eome when no dairying plant will be efficient or complete without a machine—the advantage of uniformity in the udders and teats of a herd will be immense.

"Some Ayrshire herd records supplied me show that a whole herd of 86 cows were carefully tested for the season (seven months and three weeks) 1 . The poorest cow returned 2081bs of butterfat and the best sCßlbs. For the same period the average for the whole herd was 3311b5. Another picked herd of Ayrshires numbering 25 averaged aOOlbs of butter-fat for the season."

Mr. "VV. Rose, of Dannevirke, has received returns from Home showing that a consignment of lambs he had sent to London had made the good price of 17s lid per head. The price offered in Dannevirke was 10s fid.

The sum of £2500 is on the Estimates for working Moumahaki Farm, as against £3452 last year. It is reckoned that there will be an increase of 1000 cows milked in the Hamilton district this year. Milk production is advancing by leaps and bounds in the Waikato, an evidence of which is the large business done in milking machine plants at the recent Waikato Show. A heifer, the property of Mr. Fitzpatrick, of Queenscliff, was found dead in a paddock at Mannerin (Vic). On a post mortem examinating being made on the carcase the stomach was found to contain a man's boot, a 2in nail, a quantity of shot, and several small stones.

We want more New Zealand mutton (remarks a London city man) (because it is only wealthy people who can now afford the home-fed article, which is retailed at lid per lb, nearly twice the price of best New Zealand. The butchers have decided to still further advance the retail prices for home-grown meat. We are convinced here bha-t there is a great era of prosperity before New Zealand. We want more and more of your products.