FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 25 November 1914, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

THE CHAMPION COW OF NEW ZEALAND, 763.411bs BUTTER-FAT IN 565 DAYS. All true lovers of a good cow will take their hats off to Madam Mayflower. She has established a record which will be hard to beat. For some months past Jersey breeders have heard that some Southern cows would put up semi-offic-ial records which would excel anything done in the past. < Several were expected to make over COOlbs of fat, and one was expected to reach the 7001bs mark, but it will come as a surprise to many that Taranaki has supplied a cow with the splendid semi-official record of 7G3.411b5. of fat in 3<>s days. Madam Mayflower is a handsome pedigree Jersey cow, seven years of age. She is owned by Mr Herbert Curtis, of Inglewood, who bred her. Her dam is the well-known show cow Mayblossom, and like Mayblossom, she carries an udder which would make the "perfect" score in any show ring. The large, soft, flexible teats placed well apart on an udder running well forward and high up behind are good to look at. A glance at the figures for the year's work show a fine persistent record. Her best month was November, with 82.211b5. of fat in 30 days, but the 12th month is just as remarkable, for it shows 54.271bs fat. An equally notable feature is that on the last day of the test she produced 20Jibs. milk. The average test for the year was C.47.

Though entered for the semi-official test it was not anticipated that she would put up such good work. During the first seven months she grazed in a paddock amongst logs and stumps, which was certainly not ideal for record making. At the end of April it was seen that she had averaged nearly 701bs fat monthly, but the scanty feed was reducing her yield, and she was removed to a paddock of new grass, and to this was added a ration of crushed oats and bran. The advantage of this was shown in an increase of 131b fat for the month of' May.

Though owned by Mr Curtis, Madam Mayflower lias been always under the care of his farm manager, Mr George Schofield, to whom all credit is due for her great work. The Government officer, who every month weighed, sampled and' tested her milk, is Mr Fulton, who is as keen and interested in the work of the cows under his supervision as if he owned them The Agricultural Department is wise in selection such a zealous officer for this work.

Madam Mayflower is'a big, little cow, always in robust health and eager for her food. Though uiider ideal conditions she might have done much better, she has certainly fixed a high-water mark, which the little Jersey and big Holstein may take some time to rub out. We learn that her yearling son Bushboy is to be sold at auction at the Hawera Show on Thursday, the 20th inst. He is a handsome youngster, fit for service, and is by lleatherboy, a half-brother to the great Lady Disdain and Virginia, who have both made semi-official teats of well over 5(l01bs. of butter-fat.

Following are the details of Madam Mayflower's record:— Days. Milk Test. ButterIMS lbs. fiit lbs. October .. 2S 1109.8 5.7 88.38 November. 30 1442.3 !>. 7 82.21 December . 31 1434.0 5.5- 78.00 1014 January.. 31 1172 O.t 71.49 February.. 28 831.8 0.7 55.73 March .. 31 829.4 7.2 59.71 April .. 30 758.9 7.2 54.04 May .. 31 800.7 7.8 07.00 June .. 30 789.8 7.0' 55.28 July .. 31 799.2 7.0 ■ 55.04 August .. 31 814.8 ,0.(1 53.77 September 30 775 7.0 54.27 October .. 3 78.5 7.0 5.49 Totals 305 11,703.2 703.41