Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-11-03
BUILDING UP A DAIRY HERD

OOtGOtN0 VI ~ OHsus Seo
Generally speaking, there is no best
breed of dairy COW, although some are
better for certain Purposes than 9TH
ers. There are first-class cows in ev-
cry breed, and also many Improbable
ones. Success depends more upon the
selection of profitable individuals than
upon the breed. The Jersey, Holstein,
Guernsey and Ayrshire breeds are con-
siderei the standard special-purpOse
breeds, and the Red Polled, ShorthOrn
and the Brown Swiss the most COM
mon dual-purpose breeds. being used
to some extent for beef production.
The Jerseys and Guernseys are cOnsid-
cred most economical for production OF
butterfat, and the HOlsteinS and Ayr
shires are considered more profitable
for milk production. The HOlsteins
should be kept on good pasture and on
heavy ratiOns. Profitable animals
must be selected on basis of perform
ance (shown by milk and butter rec
ords) and developed by care and good
feeding. The beginner should consid-
er his market carefully, select the
breed he likes best from those most
suited to local conditions and then
stick with that breed, building up his
herd by selection.
The dairyman, to be successful, must
keep only such cows that pay good
annual profit. Many cows do not pay
for their feed, while others may pay
from S. to $50 per year over expenses.
The Improbable COW is worth only
what she will bring on the butchers
block (about $3O). The COW that pro-
duces $50 profit over all expenses Is
worth ten cows that produce no profit
both as a breeder and producer, and
should at least be valued at 500 to
$3.50.
Breeding Better Than Buying.
Some dairymen buy fresh cows
breeding to a common sire and selling
the young stock and old cows to the
butcher. Others breed their own stock
use good sires. keep milk records and
develop heifers from their best stock
The first method has only one advan
tage, that Of allowing the dairyman tC
use all his pastures and buildings fol
cows that are milking. Recognizing
the value of a good COW, the dairymar
should always be prepared to buy one
that is better than what he has, but
it is much safer to depend on breed
ing up his own herd. The man who
depends on buying gets Gull stock, usu
ally, unless he pays much more thar
it would cost to breed 1t himself. He
also runs big risk Of buying diseased
cattle with tuberculosis or contagious
abortion. The man who breeds up hi:
own stock can develop his heifers Il
good advantage SO that they will b.
quiet and gentle aid also healthy. HI
will usually be able to build up goot
herd more surely and quickly.
Sire Is Half the Herd.
The sire is half the herd. but II h
Is a good one he is pretty near all o
1t. Grade cows may range in valu
from sos to $3.50, and the sire that cal
produce the latter kind Is worth man,
times more than the one that pro
; duces the S25 kind. II heifer can b
reduced that. when mature, will Civ
so to 100 pounds more butter or 100
pounds more milk per year than he
dam, the annual profit from such
heller will accordingly be from $40 t
sos more than from the foundatiO
cow. II ten such heifers were raise
every year, the increased profit vii
.. be 500 to $3.50 more per year; II 2
heifers are raised, $500 to $500 will b
; gained each year by using q good bul
Consequently it is hard to understan
how a progressive dairyman can affor
to let a difference Of 800 or so !
, the original cost Of a herd bull stan
, between him and an additional annus
. income Of $500. Yet dairymen will bu
$25 scrub bulls that are worse tina
|. useless as improvers Of their herd
} while purebred males costing $50
$50 more would pay for themselvt
( many times over In the increased valu
Of the young stock produced. The SIT
that cannot increase the value Of tn
herd is dear at any price. While tn
owner Of a grade herd may be justine
. in buying as high-priced a sire as ii
breeder Of pure breeds. a good anim'
will always be cheapest In the end.
Selection Of Dairy Sire.
Only u purebred sire should be use
from ancestors Of known merit and I
good breed type. Insecurity and CO
stitution. Select, IL possible. the SC
Of a irst-class dairy cow as the cha
acteristics Of the dam are most like
to be reproduced in the heifers of Il
next generation. The best Indicate
Not Serious Defect.