DIVISIVX OF AM.VAL HiL-BASDRY 361 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN, N.S. 

 EEPOET OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, W. W. BAIRD, B SA 



DAIKY CATTLE GRADING EXPERIMEXT. 



OBJECT OF EXPERIMENT. 



The object of tliis experiment is to discover the actual cash value of the pure-bred 

 dairy sire, in a herd of common and mixed breeding, in the increased production of the 

 progeny, as well as their proportionately greater market value. The outline of this 

 experiment was reported in the annual report for the year ending March 31, 1913. 



RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT TO DATE, APRIL 1, 191-4. 



The twelve heifers termed the " foundation heifers " have dropped their first lot 

 of calves from the Ayrshire crcs'-^, Holstein cross, and Guernsey cross, and have com- 

 pleted their first two lactation periods. 



The first crop of calves (first cross Ayrshire), calved in the fall of 1911, yielded 

 eight heifers, which in turn have dropped their first crop (second cross Ayrshire), 

 calved in the fall of 1913, yieldiiig five heifers. These in turn are to be bred to a 

 pure-bred Ayrshire bull to calve in the fall of 1915. 



The second crop of calves from the foundation cows (first cross Holstein), calved 

 in the fall of 1912, yielded six heifers. These are being bred to a pure-bred Holstein 

 bull to calve in the fall of 1914. 



The third crop of calves (first cross Guernsey), calved in the fall of 1913, yielded 

 three heifers, which are being fitted to be bred to calve in the fall of 1915. 



The greater percentage of progeny are promising to be superior to their dams and, 

 as would naturally be expected, a few only are not. 



Unfortunately two of the foundation heifers have not been successful in passing 

 the yearly test and have been disposed of. These are Jessie and Spot, both of Avhich 

 have heifers to succeed them. 



The following table will give the results of the second year's work iu milk pro- 

 duction: — 



