752 Journal of Ayiicidture, Victoria. [11 Dec, 1916. 



CHAMPION BUTTER-FAT TEST AT THE ROYAL SHOW. 



R. T. Archer, Senior Dairy hispector. 



For the first time for many years at the Annual Show of the Hoyal 

 Agricultural Society, this year a class was instituted for the cow giving 

 the most butter-fat. The competition extended over three days (six 

 consecutive milkings). The conditions were as follow: — 



The Weelcly Times Champion Butter-fat Test. — Special prizes. First 

 prize, £12 ; second prize, £8 ; third prize, £5 (presented by The 

 Herald and WeeMy Times Ltd.). 



Each competitor will be allowed three entries in each class, and may 

 nominate a maximum number of ten cows, paying a fee of Is. per cow 

 at time of entry. The exhibitor may compete with any cow or cows 

 selected from those which he has nominated. The names of all cows 

 nominated must be stated on entry form. 



Cow (any pure breed) giving the best butter-fat results under the 

 Babcock test. All exhibits must have been the property of the exhibitor 

 three months before the date of entry. Cows to be milked dry in the 

 presence of the stewards or judges, or whom they may appoint, on 

 Friday, 22nd September, 1916, at 5 p.m., when the exhibits must be in 

 the yards, such milking not to be taken into account. They will be 

 milked at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 23rd, 

 24th, and 25tli September; the milk produced will be subjected to a 

 Babcock test, and the prizes awarded in accordance with the results 

 obtained. 



Although it is recognised that as a rule cows will not give their best 

 results at a show in strange surroundings, a perusal of the figures given 

 below will indicate that the competitors gave an excellent account of 

 themselves. The arrangements under which the competing cows were 

 maintained during the contest were favorable, for, although they were 

 in the main cattle pavilion, they were in one corner of the building, and 

 in a wire-netting enclosure, which excluded traffic likely to disturb. 



Only five cows were presented for the contest. Two Ayrshires, the 

 property of Mr. Andrew Buchanan, of Gleneira, Flinders, and three 

 red polls, the property of the Department of Agriculture, Central 

 Research Farm, Werribee. The winner was the red poll " Pipio," with 

 134 lbs. 3 ozs. of milk, an average of 44 lbs. 11 ozs., and 6.222 lbs. butter- 

 fat, thus making 2.074 lbs. of butter-fat per day. On the first evening 

 she gave a higher test than on the two following evenings. The second 

 cow was the Ayrshire, " Lady Mac of Gleneira." She also gave over 

 2 lbs. of butter-fat per day, and was improving each day, and had the 

 competition extended over another day she would probably have turned 

 the tables on her competitor. " Lady Kyle " of Gleneira was third, with 

 an average of 1.9 lb. of butter-fat per day. " Lady Kyle " gave the most 

 milk, an average of 48 lbs. 3 ozs. per day. " Lady Mac " is by Majestic 

 of Oakbank, by the famous Jamie of Oakbank. Very considerable 

 interest was taken by breeders in the competition, and it is anticipated 

 that next year a large number of entries will result. 



