Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-08
EXPERT GIVES TIPS
ABOUT DAIRY HERDS

One of the most discussed cues
tions in the formation of dairy
herd is whether to begin with pure
bred or grade cows Opinions differ
widely as to which is the more prof
table. Pure-bred animals are much
sought for breeding purposes; there
fore, their offspring are more valua-
BILE and command higher price than
do the offspring of grades. Other
things being equal If the value OF
the calves is considered, a pure-bred
herd is more profitable. On the
other hand, If milk production alone
is sought, grade herd may pro-
duce as largely as a pure-bred herd.
The enterprising and progressive
owner villa not be content with
grades only. Since he must have .,
pure bred 1a bun to build up his so hero o.
match, then one of two more. BY
this practice he will be working prop
erly towards a pure-bred herd. and
gaining in knowledge and experience
at the same time. With the beg inner.
or those unaccustomed to handling
registered animals, this is better
plan than to purchase a pure-bred
herd in the beginning.
A dairy farmer who has on hand .
herd of good, fair and indifferent
grades of no particular breeding,
should bear in mind that 1t Is
NS4J POOE COW 4Hu0cO WHICH - lOb
better than no cow on the farm;
that COWS vary greatly in their abil-
ity to return profit; and that life is
too short for one to plod along with
the Inferior cows longer than is nee
essary to secure animals of higher
quality. In raising the quality of a
herd one should dispose of the OFF,
spring from such cows as are known
to be inferior and retain those from
the best producers only. BY doing
this and adding an excellant pure
bred animal occasionally. It is pos
sible to build up a herd Of high quail
.ty in a very short time,
In adding pure-bred animals to .
herd, the question OF breed may
arise with those who have not
formed a preference already. The
portance to this matter, as influence
ing the success of the venture. The
Importance of making use of a pure
breed of some kind is more apt to be
underestimated than overestimatea
success with one breed will be about
equally successful with another.
Consideration must be given to the
purpose for which the product Is to
be used. For example, If milk Is to
be sold in market where richness
larger yield would be the choice. If
butter or cream is the product to be
marketed, other factors must be con-
sidered. When the decision Is made
as to the product desired it is wela
to select breed which serves the
purpose and is well represented in
the community under consideration,
1t is being demonstrated that ami
mails of all breeds have developed
not only greater individual qualities
in those communities where a good
ly number of that breed Is kept, but
that they also have greater market
value per unit of quality. The indi-
vidual cows of a Holstein herd, for
instance, located in a Jersey neigh
borhood would not have the market
value that the same. animal would
have If surrounded by animals of
their own breed. This is true at the
Georgia Experiment station where
both Holstein and Jerseys are kept.
The Jerseys in this locality greatly
outnumber the Holsteins and the
market value for Jersey calves Ia
much better than that for Holstein
calves. The same Is true of all 9th.
er dairy breeds when too widely scat.
tered. Buyers are always attracted
by the possibility of buying a num-
Der of cattle in one neighborhood::
and surplus stock can be disposed OF
more readily than where the animals
are widely scattered.
Animal Husbandman.