The Newark journal., 1919-12-04

|
 mcnt of 8EriCuiturc.)
 When two young bull arfstocrats started out on u journey to their new home in Idaho recently, an experiment i which will interest cattle breeders was started under way. These two bulls. 1 both of which have enYiable family trees, were sent to the University of Idaho-not to learn-but to teach, and the subject they will demonstrate is ''fhe Best Method of Fixing and. In- suring Uniform Transmission of High Production in Dairy Cattle"
 Better Animals in Larger Numbers.
 The shipping of these two bulls, one i a HOlstein and one q Jersey, was the first step in carrying out co-opera- tive experiment. undertaken by the dairy division Of the bureau of animal industry, United States department of agriculture, and the department of dairying, University of Idaho. The object is not to improve the high pro- ducing dairy animals already i'll eX istence, but to determine q method of breeding that will produce the better animals in large numbers. When this method is determined and put to prac- tical use, as it undoubtedly will be. it will result in q great advance to the dairy industry. Ii is the average pro- duction-the production of the rank and file-that counts. and this expert ment is aimed at raising that average, rather than producing few record breaking cows.
 The experiment to be carried out at the University of Idaho is q part of general plan for extensive breeding ex- periments, outlined by H. H. Graves of the federal departments dairy divi- sion. Other experiments similar to the Idaho project will be carried out directly with the herds of the dairy division and comparatively with herds of state experiment stations and indi- vidual breeders. These experiments will fill a long felt need for series of carefully planned tests involving large enough number of animals, and extending over a sufficient length of time to warrant accurate and definite conclusions as to the best method of breeding. While the need for this work has long been recognized. the cost of the work and organization re- quired to handle it successfully has prevented private individuals from try ing it.
 A Unique Experiment.
 In the Idaho experiment the follow ing methods of breeding will be com pared: In-breeding vs. out-breeding and line-breeding vs. out-breeding. As Holsteins and Jerseys predom.nate in the university herds. the Holstein will be used in the in-breeding and the ter seyS in the line-breeding work. No cross-breeding experiments will be at tempted with these herds, but as this type of work is included. in the general plan, it will be carried on w.th the herds of some other station or breeder.
 According to the rather unique agreement with the University of Idaho. the dairy division will furnish the bulls used in the experivent, and the university will furnish the cows. The experiments will be carried out with the animals in the university herds, and not less than 12 females are to be used as the foundation herd in each experiment. The females and their progeny are to remain the prop erty of the university, while the bulls will remain under the ownership of .l,.D af i'm ft.V university has agreed to stand the ex- pense of feeding and caring for the bulls. and will retain all females pro- duced in the herd until they have com pleted one lactation period so that ac- curate records wifi be had on tie milk production, hutterfat test, and date of calving for all daughters of each sire.
 Why Results Will Be Valuable.
 The results of the experiments should furnish excellent data for de- termining the relative value Of in- breeding, line-breeding and cross breeding since the same foundation animals will be the basis of both the inbred and otft-bred herds. This will make the inbred animals comparable, generation by generation with the out bred animals. In like manner, the same foundation animals will be the basis, of the line-bred and enoss-bred herds making the line-bred animals comparable with the eross-bred ani- mals
 The Jersey bull sent the University of Idaho is out of daughter of iiill- side Torono, a proved bull recently purchased to head the experimental herd owned by the government at New Iberia, La. Hillside Torono has three daughters with annual records of over 800 pounds of fat on two milkings daily and number of good records in the making. Hillside Torono is sired by Pogis 99th of Hood Farm and out of Lass 57th of Hood Farm. tbe daugh-