550 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Sept., 1916. 



Ajrshires are not well represented in this year's operations, only two 

 herds being entered, and both of these suffered severely by reason of the 

 drought. 



Amongst the cows under 4 years of age — 200-lbs. standard — Mr. 

 C. G. Lyon takes first place with " Parakeet," which yielded 438.9 lbs. of 

 butter fat, passing from sixth in the heifer standard last year. 



Mr. Woodmason's " Mystery XIII. of Melrose " comes second, and 

 maintains a high average test of 6.46, being the fifth highest for the 

 year, while a half-sister, " Mystery IX.", comes seventeenth in order of 

 merit, and best of this line in the open class. Mr. A. "W. Jones, with 

 " Lady Grey VIII.", is third. 



In the heifer class Mr. A. W. Jones scores with "Lady Grey I. of 

 St. Albans," with a return of 347 lbs. of fat, Mr. "Woodmason taking the 

 three next positions with ''Chevy VIII. of Melrose.," ''Jessie XIII.", and 

 " Handsome Girl VII." 



The highest average test obtained during the year is 6.71. This was 

 obtained by Mr. C. D. Lloyd's " Queen Spark." 



HERD PRIZE. 



Six herds are eligible to compete for the herd prize donated by the 

 Government, which is offered to herds in which ten or more cows 

 complete their period within the twelve months ended 30th June. This 

 prize is allotted on a handicap basis. In the first place, heifers who 

 have to attain the 175-lb. standard receive a handicap of 75 lbs. of 

 butter fat each. 



Those which have to reach 200-lbs. standard receive 50 lbs. each, and 

 every cow in the herd, when the total is above ten, receives ^ lb. of butter 

 fat for each cow. The average for each cow must be 300 lbs. of fat; 

 thus a herd of ten cows, giving an average of 300 lbs. of fat, would be 

 beaten by a herd of 30 cows whose average was 286 lbs. of fat. The 

 30 cows would each receive 15 lbs. handicap, bringing the total to 

 301 lbs. average, exclusive of handicaps for heifers and second calf cows. 



Only four of the herds, eligible by number of cows, are qualified by 

 herd average for the prize, as shown below. 



■ Mr. W. Woodmason's " Melrose " herd takes pride of place with the 

 average return of 403 lbs. of butter fat per cow, including handicap 

 allowances in a herd of 51 cows. 



Mr. C. G. Lyon's " Banyule " herd is second with 384 lbs. of fat, as 

 an average with fourteen cows. 



The figures cannot be regarded as other than highly satisfactory. 



A pleasing feature of the result is seen in comparing the average 

 of these herds without the herd allowance, when Mr. Woodmason's herd 

 shows an average almost identical vnth. that of Mr. Lyon's. 



Seeing the difference in the number of cows, the inference is that the 

 tail end of the herd is a good one. 



