lo Aug., 191-] Herd 'l\si'iiig. 511 



HERD TESTLXG. 



Government Certification of Standard Cows. 

 By II". .4. .A'. Ro]>crlso,i, B.V.Sc. 



The desire of the members of the Victorian branch of the Jersey Herd 

 Society to introduce a scheme for the official registration of records of the 

 Jersey cow, affording as it did an opportunity for putting into "practice 

 the principle advocated by the officers of the Department of Agriculture, 

 was responsible during 191 1 for the meeting of a committee of their mem- . 

 bers, representatives of the Royal Agricultural Society, and officers of the 

 Department, at which the more important features of such a scheme were- 

 discussed. Later th's led to a deputation waiting upon the Hon. G. 

 Graham. Minister of Agriculture, and placing their request for assistance 

 from Government officers before him. Being in accord with the principle, 

 the Minister, after due consideration, agreed to the issuing of certificates 

 to all cows of any pure breed attaining a definite standard. Eventually 

 regulations were drawn up, which are reproduced herewith. The testing 

 is to apply to any pure breed, but only to those animals registered in a. 

 recognised herd book, whilst every such animal in a herd must be entered. 

 A fee of jQ\ per herd and 5s. per cow tested will be made. The test 

 will occupy nine calendar months, commencing one week after calving, 

 and cows attaining the standard as shown in Rule 1 1 will be granted cer- 

 tificates whereon all the information possible as showing her value will be 

 recorded. A list of all cows gaining the standard will be published annu- 

 ally. As a cow must enter for testing within one week of calving, it is^ 

 advisable that all owners desirous of participating in the scheme should 

 enter their herds as early as possible, for it will be seen that some months 

 must elapse before even the majoriiy of animals in a herd are undergoing 

 the test, and those which are calving at the present time will be handicapped 

 by missing the lactation period of the present vear. 



Rkgilations concermng Herd T?:sting for the Government Certification 



o:-" Standard Cows. 

 Entrance — 



1. The owner of nnv herd of pure bred (hiir\- cattle mav submit his herd for 



certification. 



2. Onlv those cows registered in a recognised herd book or pure stock register 



will be accepted, and all such cows in the herd must be tested, w'th 

 such exceptions as are set out in Clauses 14, is, and 16. 



3. An annual fee of £1 per herd and ;s. per cow tested shall be paid to the 



Department of Agriculture on demand. 



4. Any cow entered for certification mav be branded in such manner as to- 



insure identification, and all stmdard cows will be marked on the inside 

 of an ear with the Government tattoo mark and an identification number. 



Lactation Period — • 



5. Testing and recording sh<all occupv a period of nine calendar months, com- 



mencing one week from date of calving, excepting under such circum- 

 stances as set forth in Clause 18. This period shall be recognised as 

 the official lactation period. 



Recording — 



6. The milk from each cow entered shall be weighed separately immediately 



after each milking by means of tested and approved scales, and the 

 weight recorded on a printed chart supplied for the pur])Ose, which shall 

 remain the property of the Department. Such scales and chart shall 

 be available for inspection by <a Government Dairv Supervisor whea 

 required. 



