574 EXPERIHEXTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, AGASSIZ, B.C. 

 REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT— P. H. MOORE, B.S.A. 



DAIRY STOCK. 



There have been some changes and improvements in the dairy stock since last 

 year's report. Of the twenty-eight grades which were received just prior to the last 

 report, twenty-four still remain. Two were killed for beef and two for tuberculosis, 

 the latter reacting under the first and second tests which were made by Dr. S. 

 Hadwen. Health of Animals Branch. Both of these animals might have easily been 

 passed as they were in fine condition and showed very belated reactions, but post 

 mortem examinations showed generalized cases of tuberculosis. There have since 

 been made two more very thorough tests and the herd passed each time. Absolutely 

 thorough testing and lack of compassion on the suspect have brought about this state 

 of affairs in the herd, and by allowing nothing but tested stock therein, it is hoped 

 by 'the above methods to keep free from tuberculosis. 



The cows have improved in condition very much since the last report, and those, 

 except the very oldest, which are freshening now, give promise of much better returns 

 than they gave in the period which is now being reported. They were on pasture ail 

 summer and this was supplemented at short intervals by green feed. When they 

 came in they were given a ration of hay, mangels and silage, mixed in proportions of 

 three, five and twelve parts by weights, and they were fed all they would clean up 

 (this ranged from thirty-five to seventy pounds each, depending on the cow). Grain 

 was fed in amounts depending upon the individuality of the cow. However, the cows 

 were not fed high at any time, although at first it took more to keep them in condition 

 than when they became acclimatized. Bran, crushed oats, peas and barley (home- 

 grown), and crushed oats and wheat (from the prairies), were fed as the regular 

 mixture and, for a few months before freshening, cows received from one to two 

 pounds of oil cake meal. 



The above grains have been found more profitable for milk production than a 

 mixture of bran, shorts and oil meal, a ration of the same approximate cost, based on 

 tests of the whole herd. 



For profitable feeding of the dairy herd either roots or ensilage are essential, but 

 both are preferable. 



In June, 1912, there were purchased from J. M. Steves, of Steveston, three 

 pure-bred cows, namely, Aurora Mechthilde (9701), four years old, Lina of Lulu 2nd 

 (12014) three years old; and Pietze Priscilla Mechthilde (14123) 2£ years old. 



These are all sired by Sir Canary Mechthilde (5318), and to date have all done 

 good work. A heifer calf has been dropped by Aurora Mechthilde, but as yet the 

 other two have not freshened. 



. The young bull, Sir Natoye Korndyke, although not a show bull, has developed 

 into a large, vigorous animal. In November, 1912, there was purchased another young 

 bull, Colony Sena Korndyke (14840), from the Provincial Government Farm at 

 Mt. Coquitlam. This bull is very much the same blood line as the one we are now 

 using, only he is several generations closer to Pontiac Korndyke, being sired by 

 Ragapple Korndyke 7th. This youngster promises well. 



The following table gives the results of all cows that have finished their first 

 lactation period since coming to this Farm. Another year should see a big improve- 

 ment in these results : — 



