The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1947-04-18

would be; but we can imagine it would be a
handsome sum if it were to be multiplied by
the number of dairy cow in our state"
Mr.. Smell lists the following causes for the
low production:
First, a failure to grow our W herds from
sires of outstanding ancestry in production.
We depend on buying the culls from the
stock yards in the dairy sections in the CEN
trail and northern part of the state.
Second, pastures that are improperly
mineralized and fertilized. In this field we
are now reaching a very efficient system of
applying lime direct from the car to the field
by trucks. Four years ago it cost around So
per ton to get the lime on the land, because
of an inefficient system by which the lime
was sacked and hauled to a storage on the
farm and handled again to the field. At pres
ent an inefficient system of handling fertilizer
is still in use, Pastures in this county need
every year 500 pounds to the acre of 10-14-10
fertilizer and the present method of handling
in sacks from the dealer to the land is too
much of a penalty on the farmer. We will
have to get our fertilizer laws changed so
that we can get it in bulk and handled direct
to the land as we now are doing with lime.
Third, we have not learned to grow thrift
ty and healthy heifers. Most calves and heif-
ers that we have seen around diaries have the
appearance of malnutrition, or disease. or
both. In all dairy herds, malsitis and Bangs
disease are taking a heavy toll. They can both
be controlled, and it seems that Bangs can be
eliminated.
Let me add a note of optimism to this pic
ture. Rainfall is one of ctr greatest ssets.
providing it is associated with lime and min
erals and fertilizers applied to the land. Our
land is diverse in character, and to ~equalize
this diversity we have a legume or grass
adapted to every type; and every year we are
adding to this list of legumes and grasses,
that will sooner or, later make it possible for
cattle to Craze every day of the year on grass
of character and quality"
Along with the assets. we would add to Mr..
SHELLS list the mild and sunny climate of
the coast, which is as important to dairy
workers as it is to cattle. We here in Jackson
county have natural handicaps like soil to
overcome in addition to the poor dairy
methods outlined by Mr.. Smell. But in Wis
consin and Minnesota, two of the greatest
dairy states in the union, they have a wealth
ct ndflulCdp W ONel COiIle WHICH IL DIS great
or perhaps greater than our soil handicap.
S~team-heated barns add a cost item of severe
proportions which we do not face. Yet by
following vigorous and intelligent farm
methods, with the close attention apparent
in MIR. SHELLS analysis, the Wisconsin farm
ers have become the dairymen for much of
the nation.
We bought their milk during a large part
of the war and still buy many of their pro-
ducts. If their methods and labor were applied
to Jackson county pasture land, perhaps we
might be selling milk in their markets such
as Chicago.
That day may come. at that. We believe
it is possible if enough of our farmers under
take the cultivation of productive herds,
bearing in mind the three missing links
pointed out by Mr.. Smell.