THE FAMILY MILK SUPPLY 



same hourly routine should be observed daily. 

 Feeding the grain ration after milking is desir- 

 able. A good practice is to furnish hay and beet 

 pulp between milkings. 



To insure cleanliness of the milk, the udder 

 and teats may be wiped with a damp cloth before 

 milking. Flanks and the udder should be clipped 

 of hair, thus facilitating a clean condition of 

 the animal at all times. Soiled bedding should 

 be removed and clean material substituted as 

 required. 



The normal cow should produce an average 

 of 10 quarts of milk daily over a period of ten 

 months. In the remaining two months the cow 

 will not be producing milk but will be resting 

 and building up body reserves for the coming 

 period of lactation. The cow should be bred 

 about nine months before it is desired to have 

 her bear a calf. The time of year when such 

 freshening should occur is not important, al- 

 though either spring or fall months are con- 

 sidered best, to avoid weather and temperature 

 extremes at the critical calving period. Under 

 this plan it will be noted that the family will 

 not have milk from home sources for two months 

 during the year. The alternative is to have two 

 cows, one freshening in April and the other in 

 October, ensuring a continuous supply, or to 

 purchase milk during the "dry" period. 



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