FEEDING DAIRY CATTLE 



237 



Improvement of Dairy Herds. The most important factor to 

 be ascertained by a dairy farmer is whether the cows he is feeding 

 are of the dairy type and capable of a good dairy production, or are 

 what are termed " boarders " cows whose milk production is barely 

 sufficient to pay for the feed they eat. This can only be determined 

 by testing the individual herds for 

 production, by means of a milk scale 

 (Fig. 47) and a Babcock tester (Pig. 

 48). This work may be done by the 

 farmer himself or by joining a cow- 

 testing association, lla or by having offi- 

 cial tests conducted under the direction 

 of the State Agricultural College in 

 cooperation with the respective breed 

 associations. Only cows that come up 

 to a certain standard of production of 

 milk or butter fat should be retained 

 in the herd. This may be gradually 

 increased from 250 to 300, 350, or even 

 400 pounds butter fat a year. Cows 

 that do not reach the standard set are 

 disposed of as opportunity offers, unless 

 they give promise of doing better in the 

 future, , as they have no place in the 

 dairy herd. 



Low producers eat considerably 

 more feed per unit of production than 

 high-producing cows, and are not 

 capable of an economical production. 

 Investigations of dairy herds at a num- 

 ber of experiment stations 12 have 

 clearly demonstrated the futility of 



FIG. 47. The spring milk-scale 

 enables the farmer to keep accurate 

 T i -i i milk records of his cows with but 



making dairying pay at present high very little extra effort. (Ottawa sta- 

 for feed and labor, with 



cows 



tion) . 



prices lor leed. and labor, 

 other than of the strict dairy type, that are good individuals ; they 

 may be pure-breds, high grade, grade, or natives, according to the 

 resources and the business ability of the farmer, but they must have 

 inbred dairy tendencies and be able to consume large amounts of feed 

 without growing fat. According to the experience of dairy experts, 



"a For organization of cow- testing associations and some results ob- 

 tained, see Bur. An. Ind. Cir. 179; N. J. Cir. 16; N. H. Ext. Bui. 4; Cal. 

 Bui. 233 and 314; Kan. Cir. 35; Utah Bui. 127. 



12 See Minn. Bui. 35; Storrs (Conn.) Bui. 29; 111. Cir. 106; Wis. Bui. 

 102, 200, and 226; Md. Bui. 187. 



