Milk Records. 15 



testing, nine times during the official lactation period, and "not 

 more than thirty days is to elapse between any two visits." 

 The milk is apparently to be weighed daily, and entered on 

 a sheet which is to remain the property of the Department. 



The standard is fixed on the calculated weight of butter fat 

 as shown by analysis, standard cows being those whose yield 

 of butter is as below : — 



(a) Cows commencing their first lactation period, being 

 under 3 years of age, 150 lb. butter fat. 



(b) Cows commencing their first lactation period, being 

 over three years of age, 200 lb. butter fat. 



(c) Cows of any age commencing any lactation period other 

 than the first, 200 lb. butter fat. 



It is proposed to award Government certificates to standard 

 cows, such certificate giving full particulars of the animal, 

 her yield of milk, &c., and all standard cows will be marked 

 on the inside of an ear with the Government tattoo mark and 

 an identification number. 



Ireland. — In Ireland the keeping of milk records and the 

 improvement of dairy cattle through the selection and registra- 

 tion of cows are so closely interwoven that I make no apology 

 for considering both schemes together. They are essentially 

 practical, and run on right lines, although at the present time 

 Scheme No. 20 for encouraging improvement in dairy cattle is 

 under revision. On the question of milk records the Depart- 

 ment suggest : — 



(a) A time limit for lactation period of 45 weeks. 



(b) The milk to be weighed once a week on a fixed day in 

 each week. 



(c) The taking and testing of samples of each cow's milk at 

 regular intervals during the lactation period ; the testing to be 

 either done on the farm, or by the staff of the local creamery, 

 or by the inspector of a cow testing association where one is 

 in existence. The cow testing association when formed permits 

 any dairy farmer in the district served by such an association 

 to become a member ; but on the condition that he enters all 

 his cows. 



The Department supplies the record sheets and monthly 

 summary books ; these have to be kept by the secretary of the 

 cow testing association, who certifies the records, and the other 

 particulars necessary. The record sheets, monthly summary 

 book and list of members, are open to inspection by the 

 Department at any time. 



The Department in addition keeps a register of dairy cattle. 

 This up to the end of last year, 1912, was open to good cross- 

 bred Shorthorns and pure bred dairy stock upon application by 

 the owners, but " only good cows of a distinct and well defined 



