HOLLY OAKS JERSEY HERD.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1921, Page 8

HOLLY OAKS JERSEY HERD.

GREAT DAIRY TYPES. TESTING RECORDS THAT COUNT. At no period of the dairying industry’s existence more than at the present, has it been, essential to have the right breed and type of dairy cow. Two conditions make this most essential —the present high price of land and the reduced price the dairyman will have to accept for his butterfat. There is, therefore, no room on the well-run dairy farm for the inferior or “robber” cow. It costs as much to pasture a poor daily cow as a good butterfat-producing animal. The result is that the cow that does not test high, but puts her feeding on to her ribs, has no place in the dairy herd, and should speedily become the property of the nearest butcher.

For many seasons past a great deal of expert concentrated thought and work have been given to the production of dairy cattle, and it may be fairly claimed that in no part of the Dominion has this subject received so much attention as at the hands of the progressive Taranaki dairyman. The consequence is that many excellent herds may be found in our district. Breeders have gone into the question on most scientific and practical lines, with the result that any animals they have for sale command a very ready market at top prices. Prominent amongst those who have made a £reat name for the quality of their herds is Mr. John Hale, owner of the renowned Holly Oaks herd of dairying Jerseys. Mr. Hale started out on the right lines some fourteen years ago with a few high-testing pedigree Jersey cows, and by judicious breeding and introducing approved strains of butterfat-producing animals has built up a herd that stands amongst the very highest in the Dominion to-day. In addition to the high records that have been attained by the Holly Oaks herd as butterfat-producers, the herd is a remarkable one for strength of constitution. Mr. Hale does not. believe in nursing his stock in stables and stalls during the severe weather. He prefers to feed well and give his stock reasonable hedge and other good shelter, and in consequence the Holly Oaks cattle are hardy and can stand the rigors of a winter without harmful results. Some two years ago Mr, Hale decided to place a number of his cows under semiofficial testing conditions. The results attained were remarkable, as will be seen by the attached table:

In .addition there are four other cows undergoing test and doing equally as well as the above. One of these—Holly Oak Beauty—was only 154 months old when she commenced her tests. AN AUSTRALASIAN RECORD. It will be seen that these nine cows averaged Gl2 lbs of butterfat in the twelve months under semi-official test —an Australasian record for nine cows belonging to one herd. In addition to these test cows there are many other magnificent animals that Mr. Hale has not yet put under the official test, but. they are all very high butterfat producers. With such a splendid lot of aristocratically-bred matrons in his herd it is little wonder that the progeny m eagerly sought, after at the annual sales of the Holly Oak stud. The butts are very much in favor amongst dairymen. In buying a bull for his dairy herd a farmer who knows his business will pul butterfat test before everything, and if a bull is from a high-testjng dam he is sure to command spirited competition. To-morrow a number of young bulls from this herd of wonderful Jerseys will be submitted to auction at. the pedigree Jersey bull sale to be held at the New Plymouth show grounds. A glance at their pedigrees will show that these animals are a richly-bred lot, coming from illustrious ancestors that have been qoted for butterfat production. These young bulls all bear the stamp of aristocratic lineage, are well proportioned, well nurtured, and full of quality. Any one of the line would be a great acquisition to the finest dairy herd in the land. Buyers will do weH to look over these bulls, and the dairyman who is fortunate enough ot -secure one or more will have the knowledge that better dairying strains are not to be fount!. One outstanding bull, Holly Oak’s Superior Knight, is from the famous Lady Superior, by Grannie’s Knight. This magnificent young champion is probably one of the greatest bulls ever produced in the Dominion. Although only 134 months old, he is wonderfully developed and beautifully proportioned, having all the great characteristics that belong to the modern true Jersey dairying type. He is well grown for his age, but beautifully even in quality, and has a length of body not. often met, with at the age. This hull is sure to leave an indelible mark on lhe future Jersey strains of the Ddm&ion, apjd, in addition, should have a distinguished show-ring career. Mr. Hale has refused many tempting offers for this bull, but has made it a rule to sell no bull by private treaty, preferring to let his animals be judged by experienced Jersey fanciers from ah'. over the Dominion. (Published by arrangement.)

s fa g rt g | x? & « w £ Z 1 o Z = 5 J Jersey Bank Treasure lOyrs. 305 13,204 717 Jersey Bank Pretty . 9yrs. 305 10,817 011 Lambert Countess .. 7yrs. 365 10,022 65" Rioter’s Merry .... "yrs. 365 10,409 586 Rose Royal Syrs. 362 10,977 548 Dark Prim 8yrs. 365 12,596 655 Lady Superior 2%.vrs. 365 9,975 680 Tuneful 365 7,656 433 Exile’s Katie iyn. 365 10,050 614