Imperial Valley press., 1913-08-21
HOW TO GET BETTER
GRADE DAIRY cows

than any they have had heretofore.
This condition is that the pure-bred
cow has become so fashionable that
every dairyman thinks he must have
a registered herd of cows if he is to
receive the maximum returns.
As everyone knows, the pure-bred
cow is more apt to be a good pro-
ducer than a grade cow, because the
former has been bred for butter-fat
production for a good many genera
tons, and it should be said that the
pure-hred cow is very necessary to
the higher production among dairy cat
tie With all of her good milking quail
ities, however, her male offspring is
tile most valuable asset Of the pure
bred cow, for one good son from such
COW can increase the herds produc-
ton so per cent in one years crop Of
calves. whereas the female can only re-
produce once year In view of the
above, then, it seems rather foolish
for so much interest being taken in the
COW and 50 little in the bull
While talking with a Jersey breed
er this point was discussed to some
extent and his views seem to be the
best expression eff what dalrymen need
most that we have heard
Those views are substantially Us
follows:
I'VE have been breeding Jerseys for
number Of years in California and
know that dairymen have a much
clearer idea Of the value Of the stock
than ever before, but we often wonder
If they haven't the wrong impression
Of the proper way Of increasing their
production il the most economical
fashion.
For Illustration, we have at the
present time about $50 head Of Jerseys,
part of them being grades, and We
also have a number Of Jersey bulls
ranging from six months to two years
in age AS yet we have not built up
our herd numerically as strong as we
want to, 50 naturally do not have any
pure-bred females for sale, but do oc
casiOnally sell few head Of grades.
Last week we sold one Of these
grade cows for 5000, that being an
exceptionally good figure, but we can
always get 1rorn 500 to $3.50 per head
the young bulls we offer for about the
same price as the grade COW, and IN
return for such an investment the
buyer is assured Of getting an animal
Of as good breeding as can be found
anywhere in the country
Now let US see which purchase is
the best business from a dairyman's
standpoint. After buying the grade
cow, she is taken home and put into
his herd. where she will perhaps pro-
duce between 200 and 800 pounds Of
fat during the year. which when sold
will bring in a revenue Of from s65 to
500. This may seem an extra high
estimate, but my grades are extra
good producers, having been as care
fully selected for production as my
pure-breds. Besides the fat returns,
this cow drops a calf worth SIS for veal,
or if a heifer and kept for the future
herd it is probably worth a little more;
but this, too, depends upon the herd
sire, for in an inferior bull has been
used, the calf cannot be expected 10
be as good as its mother for produc-
ton. By purchasing a good grade
cow, then, the dairyman has spent, say
1928 and in return has increased his
production from $50 pounds, the aver
age production Of poor grade, or 400
to $50 pounds, average Of the good
grade, or 100 pounds, worth at last
years market prices s33 OF course,
we have no intention Of discouraging
the idea of better bred cows, but
simply wish to show the dairymen
how they may obtain better stock at a
great deal less expense.
III, as we have shown, good cows
are to cost $40 or more, string Of
well-bred grade Jerseys would cost in
normal years perhaps $4,000 or more,
and if their offspring be taken into
consideration, a purebred bull must
be purchased.
"Take the other method Of getting
a herd built up, and the one which we
believe is the right one, Of taking an
ordinary herd Of grade cows and
simply buying purebred sire.
''As we have shown this bull can
now be bought as cheap in this state as
a good grade female, and the stock
which is being offered is as good or
better than can be obtained elsewhere
for more money. Taking our prices as
an average, 1925 will buy such bull,
which, when used on grade herd, will
Increase the butter production Of the
heifers so per cent in two years time
IL one does not care to inbreed, he can
by buying a new bull every two years,
increase his herds breeding so per
cent every two years at the small cost
OF the price OF two bulls"
This breeders views are no different
than most others on this subject, and
il might be well for dairymen to give
the subject more consideration. AS s
suggestion, it would be a profitable |
thing for all stockmen, whether they
be dairymen, hog men or other, to visit
this years state fair and take home
one or more good sires to further
build up their herds AS almost every |
hraeder poas To this fair with conaid |