THE DAIRY SHORTHORN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 8 December 1911, Page 4

THE DAIRY SHORTHORN.

VIEWS OP AX EXGLISII BREEDER. A ■well-known English exhibitor of Shorthorns, Mr. J, L. Shirley, expresses tlie following views on the Shorthorn' dairy cow:—"She should not be an overgrown animal. As a rule, a very large cow does not give more milk than one of medium size, and the larger the animal the more food she requires. If the same quantity of milk is given by the cow of medium size, it must therefore be an economy to have her. The dairy cow ought to have a gooil depth of body, stand on short legs, possess a hide with a nice touch—the texture of the udder as well as the skin of the cow should be thin—and, lastly the cow should retain the Shorthorn character, as you have your steer calves that you breed from her to consider. With respect to bulls, in cases where a dairy pedigree bull cannot be bought, there is a danger in purchasing one promiscuously either in the market or at the Shorthorn sale. As to the first, you run a risk of buying an animal that lias lost all the appearance of a Shorthorn; and as to the second, you may Buy one with all the appearance of a Shorthorn and none of the milking qualities. It is of the utmost importance that a purchaser should know all about the herd to which j the bull belongs, and take care that it is one in which a dairy Shorthorn sire is used,, and the herd noted for heavy milk yields." Mr. SWrlcy believes that dairy cattle will be more and more sought, and said he would like to impress upon dairy far' mers one thing. That was, keeping milk records.