112 



CITY MILK SUPPLY 



Some American Shorthorn records which for the most part are those 

 given by Eckles appear in Table 36. 



TABLE 36. AMERICAN SHORTHORN RECORDS (ECKLES) 



The animals are commonly red, white or roan; cows of the dairy 

 type weigh 1,200 to 1,350 Ib. and at birth their calves weigh 70 to 90 Ib. 

 Their milk on test gives 3.6 to 4 per cent, butterfat and about 12.5 per 

 cent, total solids. 



Choice of Breed. With these breeds to choose from the question 

 naturally arises which is best, and to this query no definite answer can 

 be given for the reason that each has its proper place and use and under 

 intelligent encouragement will yield good results. As a rule the predilec- 

 tion of a dairyman for some one of the breeds is often a determining factor 

 in choice, and rightly so, for a man is likely to succeed best with animals 

 for which he has a peculiar interest and fondness. Broadly speaking it 

 is generally wise to build the herd of animals that are common to the 

 region in which the farm is situated, because the dairyman gains from 

 the mutual interest of local breeders, the presence of fine specimens of 

 the breed and the renown of the district as the home of many good cattle 

 of a particular sort. Thus buyers from abroad seek out the place so that 

 there is likely to be a ready market at good prices for surplus stock. 

 Economic conditions have to be carefully considered; if the region is 

 one where the cost of labor, or feed or the high price of land or high taxes 

 put it at a disadvantage in competing with others in any branch of pro- 

 duction this fact should be recognized and choice be made accordingly. 

 If it is intended to sell milk to creameries or cheese factories that buy in 

 bulk instead of on a butterfat basis or if milk is to be put out to a city 

 milk trade that seeks only low price, the breeds that produce large quanti- 

 ties of milk will naturally be selected. On the other hand, if pay- 

 ment for milk is made on a butterfat basis or if it is intended to capture 

 a city milk trade that will pay well for rich milk the breeds yielding milk 

 testing high in butterfat will be picked out. Economy of milk production 

 by the animals has to be taken into account. Cows that will produce the 

 most milk or those making the most butterfat with the least consumption 

 or cost of feed are sought. 



