THE DAIRY

Wairarapa Age, 24 March 1920, Page 7

THE DAIRY

TESTING OF PUREI3RED3. THE DAY OF THE SPECIAL PURPOSE COW. In his review of tho testing of purebred dairy cows lor 1919, Mr W. M. Singleton, Assistant-Director of the Dairy Division,' has something interestig to say in "The Journal of Agri- 1 culture." "A review of statistics shows," hot ing interest in the work. During the cipal dairy.ng districts the dual-pur-pose cow has been giving way to tho special-purpose dairy breeds. From 1908 to 1918 the number of purebred Shorthorn bulls in Taranaki decreased 90 per cent, where as the number of purebred Jersey, Friesian,' and Ayrshire bulls increased 60 per cent. Taking the different land districts, tho enumeration of 1918-19 shows that, for every 100 Shorthorn females two years of age and over, the correspond.ng figures for Jerseys, Friesians, and Ayrshircs were: Auckland 33, Otago and Southland 31, Wellington t>4, and Taranaki 134. "When we consider that the Shorthorns are practically the foundation of our average dairy herds the trend of breeding of dairy stock in the various digtr.cts is apparent. The 1919-20 agures will doubtless present tlie position in a light more favourable to the special-purpose dairy breeds, as it well known that the Auckland province has lately imported large numbers of grade Jerseys from Taranaki. This tendency of the cattle industry towards special-purpose dairy breeds is an indication of the healthy condi-t-on of the dairy industry. Dairy farmers are in ever-increasing, numj era realising that o»ly (efficient cows are ctmipatioie with h gh-priced land. The increase in land values and smaller holdings is exerting a considerable influence in popularising those special purpose . breeds that will produce dairy products at the lowest cost. Another evidence of the progress of the industry is to be found n the increased volume of cow-test-ing that is being carried oirby da.ry farmers and breeders. Never before jin the history of dairying in New l Zealand >has the,, tendency in this di- \ rection been so marked. The progress ■ made in association testing of grade cattle is a very encouraging feature. While th's phaj® of testing enables : the herd owner to cull out uneconomical producers, its effect in saving tho best producers and more especially in inducing the owner to breed better, is 1' tho more important. Ultimately our dairy herds can only be intrinsically improved by better breeding. When a cow testing association member studies tho butter fat production of his individual cows, and. is thereby induced to purchase a butter fat record purebred bull, the testing has accomplished a great work on his be-, half, and indirectly is a means of increasing the wealth of the Dominion.' The number of breeders entering cows fori certificate of record test has continued to evidence an ever-widen-ing interest in the work. Duringk the present season testing officers are paying monthly visits to some 202 breeders as compared with 155 last year, an increase of about one-third. If further evidence of the progress of the dairy industry is affected by testing be required it will be found in the' export of purebred stock. Our record of purebred dairy cows has attracted the attention of breeders in Australia and in some of the Pacific Islands. Some 61 head of New Zealand Fries'ans, valued for Customs purposes at £3045, were shipped laßt year, and others were purchased for later shipment. While some of these animals were of such superior quality that wo can ill afford to lose them, their work for their new owners should be 60 pleasing as to further popularies New Zealnd strains abroad, and be conducive to further profitable business."