TH6 J0UHNAI9 



OF 



^fie department of fl^griculture 



OP 



VICTORIA. 



Vol. XV. Part 9. lOth September, 1917. 



STANDARD COAVS. 



Fifth Annual Report on the Testin?" of Pedigree Herds, conducted 

 by the Department of Agriculture, Victoria, for the Year 

 ended 30th June, 1917. 



Bi/ W . A. y. Robertson, B.V.Sc, Chief Veteriimry Officer. 



It is pleasing to record, in submitting this Fifth Annual Report, that 

 the pedigree herds undergoing Govcnnuent test are inereasing. in 

 number. Practically all those breeders who entered their herds at the 

 initiation of the scheme still find that it is .a profitable investment, which 

 in addition yields educational benefits, and the interest in the returns 

 is maintained as keenly as ever. 



Two new breeders have come forward during the past quarter, viz., 

 Messrs. Cullis Hill and Doake, with Jerseys; and Mr. J. Baker, of 

 Geringhap, with Red Polls. 



That Ayrshire breeders have not seen fit to strive for standard 

 honours in hirger numbers is to be regretted. By submitting their herds 

 to an ofhcial test the claim that the Ayrshire is the best breed of dairy 

 cattle could be substantiated or otherwise by records that are reliable. 

 It is anticipated that during the coming year a few more herds of 

 this breed will enter the lists and show whether the laurels which it 

 claims by virtue of its reputation can be retained in open competition. 



Twenty-four herds are now under the test, comprising 18 Jerseys, 

 4 Ayrshires, and 2 Red Polls. Two hundred and sixty-five cows com- 

 pleted their 273 days' term during the year, the three breeds being 

 represented by the following numbers : — 



Jersey . . . . . . . . . . 190 



Red Poll . . . . . . . . 44 



Ayrshire . . . . . . . . 31 



Of these, 176 Jerseys, 20 Ayrshires, and 38 Red Polls, by obtaining their 

 certificates, become standard cows. 

 10062.— 1 



