lo Feb., 1911-] Maldon Dairy Herd Competitioti. pr 



cow and local prize winner. The Jersey bull i.s a well grown animal, 

 of very fair quality ; and the calves by him are of good promise. He 

 is well looked after, having a well-grassed paddock with shelter shed 

 provided for him. Mr. Gregg says there is a good demand for this bull's- 

 services by other cow-keepers in the neighbourhood ; and from the stock 

 seen throughout the district, the Jersey breed appears to be very popular. 



The business of the farm is the supplying of fresh milk and cream 

 to the residents of Maldon ; any surplus milk being separated for butter- 

 making. 



The milking shed and dairy are well floored and tidilv kept. The 

 small barn, with chaff -house, is neatly arranged ; the chaff-cutter being 

 driven by horse- works. 



There is no silo; the owner, up to the present, has depended on t^- 

 earlv .sowing of barley to provide his autumn greenstuff. The want '' ' 

 the silo at times necessitates the purrliase of some additional food in order 

 to sustain the milk yield. Some of this expenditure could well be saved 

 by making silage of a portion of the oat crop. 



Mr. Gregg has been a successful competitor in the tlairy contests at 

 the district shows. The necessity for the careful handling of cows engaged 

 in these competitions was instanced recently. One of the cows on his farm 

 had a 4.6 test, but when being taken to the local show grounds, objected 

 to leaving the premises. She was only got to the grounds after some little 

 trouble, with the result that her milk then showed only 2.2 per cent, of 

 butter fat. Under the most favourable conditions, some cows will not 

 demonstrate their full quality in strange surroundings ; and any undue 

 excitement, such as occurred in this case, is almost sure to have a reductive 

 effect on the butter fat yield. 



Points Awarded. 



First — Mr. George Gregg. 



Second — Mr. James PutT. 



Comparing these two herds and their management, it will be seen- 

 from the points gainerl that there is little to chfK>.sc bftwffii tlieni. Mr. 

 Duff has a considerable advantage in the quality and situation of his 

 land ; and he has suppkmmted his natural advantages by providing a 

 silo to conserve his surplus fodder. His want of consistency in stock 

 breeding, however, places him at a great disadvantage in such a com- 

 petition. Further, his farm is either very much understocked at present, 

 or the want of better subdivision reduces its carrying capacity during 

 other months of the year; at least. 7 acres of grazing land jx-r low 

 appears to l>e light stocking, esp^'cialiy when in conjunction with silage 

 feeding 



Reverting to the ab.scnre of system in brei.-ding as previously men- 

 tioned. Mr. Duff explained the reivnt introduction of Ayrshire blood into 

 his stock, by saving th.il In- wished to iiicre.ise the si/<> of his cattle. 



