10 Sept., 1919.] 



Standard Herd Test. 



517 



heifers. There is, therefore, a blot upon tlie escutcheon of this 

 popular breed ; and while 23 owners have set out to demonstrate its 

 worth, a more determined attempt must be made to show that it is 

 capable of holding its own amongst all comers. 



Sooner or later, Ayrshire breeders will be forced to submit their 

 herds to the Test by clients who will require some assurance of increasing 

 their returns. The present high prices ruling for all dairy farm 

 requisites will make the dairy farmer, who has to make both ends meet, 

 realize that it is only by keeping high producers that he can make a 

 success of his labours. 



Mr W. "Woodmason's 'Chevy VIII. of Melrose." 



(Born 12.9.12.) 

 Season. Milk in lbs. 



1914-15 

 1915-16 

 1916-17 

 1917-18 



6,011 

 5,686i 

 6.853 

 6,271 



Test. 



% 

 5-63 

 6-05 

 601 

 5-79 



Butter Fat in lbs. 



338-56 

 344-08 

 412-06 

 362-24 



Already a number of Ayrshire fanciers are introducing males of 

 other breeds which have good butter fat records on their dams' sides. 

 Many efforts are also being made to organize local herd testing associa- 

 tions, showing that " appearance" is losing its claim tO' recognition 

 amongst progressive men as the method of selecting a dairy herd. 



Converting a low yielding herd to one of high record cannot be 

 carried out by a wave of the hand. Some years are necessary to accom- 

 plish results, during which culling and feeding lessons must be learnt 

 and put into operation. What can be achieved is strongly exemplified 

 in the herd of Mr. C. G. Knight, who, on this occasion, attains the 

 proud position of owning the herd which wins the departmental prize 

 for the best herd in Victoria. 



The Ayrshire breeders who will take to heart the lesson to be learnt 

 from a study of the Tarnpirr herd, will realize the benefit of entering 



