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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Frequency of Milking: It is a common practice to milk cows on 

 official or yearly record work three and sometimes four times per 

 day. It is noticed that the great majority of the cows will give the 

 highest per cent of fat following the shortest interval between milk- 

 ings. Thus a slightly higher per cent of fat as well as a larger 

 quantity of milk may be secured by these frequent milkings, but 

 with the average cow under farm conditions not enough more to 

 pay for the extra labor. 



Seasons of Year and Temperature: It has been found that ir- 

 respective of the time of calving, cows will give a slightly higher 

 test during the winter months than during the hot summer months 

 and, furthermore, that on very hot days the per cent of fat will 

 usually show a marked decrease. 



Feed: Many have contended that it is possible to increase the 

 percentage of butter fat in milk by feeding certain feeds high in 

 fat content. However, experiments have proved that it is im- 

 possible to do so to any great extent or for a very long time. Cer- 

 tain oils added to the grain ration have resulted in a temporary 

 increase, but the per cent of fat soon drops back to normal, even 

 though the feeding is continued. 



AVhetiier First or Last Dra^vn Milk: The last milk is much 

 richer than the fore milk. A trial showed the fore milk from a 

 Jersey heifer to test 2 per cent fat while the strippings tested 



1 if4. ,. i-,^,,^..., ->.,li wi' i; 1 i'ai'iii, ,.\'.iiiil li., 1...... :'i.:U ''-ii''ti-e. In 



one year this Jersey cow pruduced lZ,13i pounds ol' milk and C7G.a 

 pounds of butter fat. 



