EXERCISE 75 



JUDGING THE DAIRY COW 



Object. To learn how to select a profitable dairy cow by her form, temperament, and handling quali- 

 ties. It is possible with proper education and experience to determine by these means, and with very 



few mistakes, whether a cow is a good, medium, 

 or poor dairy cow. Fine distinctions can be made 



only by weighing and testing the milk for a year. 



Fig. i 16. Outline of a dairy cow with parts named 



I, poll; 2, forehead; 3, bridge of nose; 4, cheek; 5, jaw; 6, neck; 

 7, crest of neck; 8, throat; 9, dewlap; io, brisket; n, withers; 

 12, shoulder; 13, point of shoulder; 14, elbow; 15, arm or forearm; 

 16, knee; 17, shank; 18, ankle; 19, hoof; 20, fetlock; 21, crop; 

 22, chine (back); 23, loin; 24, flank; 25, milk well; 26, mammary 

 vein or milk vein; 27, navel; 28, udder; 29, teats; 30, hook (or 

 hook bone) hips; 31, pelvic arch; 32, pin bone or rump bone; 33, 

 thigh ; 34, stifle ; 35, hock ; 36, switch or brush of tail ; 37, escutcheon 



Fig. 117. Arteries (in white) leading from the heart to the 

 udder, and veins (in black) leading from the udder to the heart 



Materials. Charts ; pictures ; score cards ; dairy cows. Whenever possible, cows whose milk or 

 butter records are known should be used so that a check may be had on the student's judgment. 



a T \ ' c 



Fig. 118. Outlines of dairy and beef types compared a, front view; b, back view; c, side view. U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



Directions. First become acquainted with the parts of the cow mentioned in the score card and be 

 able to locate them on the animal. A study of the illustrations followed by a study of the conformation 

 of the animals will be helpful. 



Score a number of dairy cows, then weigh and test the milk produced by each. Compare your 

 judgment with that of the owner of the cows. Follow carefully the score card given on the next page. 



Fig. 119. Types of udders a, type of good udder; b, c, and d, types of poor udders. U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



References. Waters, H. J. Essentials of Agriculture, pp. 353-364. Ginn and Company. Plumb, C. S. : 

 Types and Breeds of Farm Animals, pp. 243-249. Ginn and Company. Vaughan, K. W. Types and Market 

 Classes of Live Stock, pp. 113-131. R. G. Adams and Company. 



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