10- \ov'.. 1910.] 



Dairv Valne in SJioif Stock. 



705 



Dairy stock, at the Melbourne show, are judged on appearance only. It 

 would be equally reasonable to judge hunters or trotting horses in the same 

 way; but, while the horses are put to a practical test, the cows are judged 

 on their apparent possibilities. Does this make for progress in produc- 

 tion? At Victoria's premier show, of all places, one would expect to see 

 dairy cows judged according to their actual production. There, also, we 

 might expect to find young stock being sold on the reputation of their 

 parents as dairy cattle proved by milk and butter-fat records. A farmer, 

 purchasing a pure-bred bull at that show, should be able to get with it 

 something more than a verbal assurance that it has been bred from good 

 milking stock. A prize-taking pedigree is of little value to a dairyman as 

 compared with one demonstrating practical results. While we all appre- 

 ciate the cow that '' fills the eye," the one that '' fills the bucket " regularly 

 will give still more genuine satisfaction. A cow that does both is a very 

 valuable asset. 



In neglecting to keep records of the milk and butter yields of their 

 stud cows our breeders are overlooking one of the most profitable points of 

 their business. It pays to supply what a customer wants ; more especiallv 

 if it can be done with practically no outlay. Half-a-minute per cow at 

 each milking for one day per week — or e\"en one day per month — will be 

 more than sufficient time in which to weigh and record her milk yield. A 

 test of the butter-fat in her milk for one day in her second, fourth, and 

 sixth months of lactation will give her average quality. With these items 

 noted her value as a dairy cow is no longer mere guesswork. Every good 

 cow .so tested has her \alue accentuated ; for every calf from her — male or 

 female, irrespective of colour — has an increased value for breeding pur- 

 poses. 



Upwards of 300 dairv stock were brought forward for sale at the Royal 

 Show ; and milking pedigrees were conspicuous by their absence. In the 

 sale catalogues the annual milk yield of the dam of either heifers or bulls 

 was seldom referred to. Mention was occasionallv made of the yield or 

 test of a cow's milk, covering a period of a few days only, showing that 

 the breeder felt the necessity for some reference to this qualification in his 

 stock. Probably he will be better posted next year. 



There are a few breeders in the State, however, ^vho have given special 

 attention to this point for years past ; and, in consequence, their cattle 

 have a reputation that insures them ready sale always. In fact, when it 

 comes to selling pure-bred dairv stock, such breeders are in a class by 

 themselves. Thev need no special effort to bring buyers for their surplus 

 calves. In most ca.ses these are bespoke before their birth is assured. The 

 demand for such stock is in no danger of being over-supplied. There is 

 plentv of room for others to profit bv this work. Buyers want milking 

 pedigrees, and are prepared to pav for them. It is therefore a sound 

 business proposition with everv breeder of milking stock to keep records of 

 his cows' individual production. 



