CATTLE PRODUCTION 21 



is an inactivity of all the glands of the body, resulting in a dry, harsh condition of 

 the skin, a staring coat and a low production of milk. The circulatory system in- 

 cludes the heart, lungs, arteries and veins. These organs, respectively, force, 

 purify and carry blood to and from all parts of the body. 



When the feed which the cow eats is digested and assimilated, the blood car- 

 ries it to all parts of the body including the glands of the udder which are abun- 

 dantly supplied with blood vessels. A large amount of blood circulating to the 

 udder is important to milk secretion. The size of the mammary veins and the 

 openings or "milk wells" at the ends of the veins on the underside of the body 

 are the best indications of how much blood passes through the udder. These 

 veins, often called "milk veins," do not carry milk, as some believe, but rather 

 carry away blood from the udder. Blood sometimes becomes gorged in the 

 veins and as a result of too small milk wells, the size of the veins is mis- 

 judged. The blood passes into the udder through arteries located deep on 

 the inner side of the thighs. 



The oily condition of the skin and the oily secretion noted in the ears and 

 at the end of the tail, are indications of healthy circulation of blood to all parts of 

 body and a general activity on the part of all healthy glands of the body, including 

 those of the udder. The large, open nostrils, protruding ample air passages 

 to the lungs for purification of the blood, are also important. 



The escutcheon, which is outlined by a mark made by the difference in direc- 

 tion in which the hair runs at the rear of the thighs above the udder, was thought 

 by a French student of the dairy cow, Guenon, to be associated with the artery 

 that carries blood to the udder, and, therefore, indicative of the dairy quality of 

 the cow. If this is true, it should be given as much importance as the milk veins. 

 Guenon also regarded the peculiar condition of spots of hair noted at the back 

 side of the udders of some cows and termed "the thigh ovals," as an important 

 point to consider in connection with the escutcheon. A lack of positive knowledge, 

 however, concerning the relation of these features to milk production does not 

 warrant giving them as much consideration as is given to the milk veins. An 

 escutcheon which is wide and extends high up on the- quarters, is considered 

 most desirable and usually is allowed one or two points on the score card for 

 dairy breeds. 



No Cow is Perfect. No cow ever existed that could be called perfect in all 

 respects when scored by a critical judge. It is expected that every animal will 

 be more or less deficient and the eye of the judge should be quick to note the de- 

 ficiency. In buying or selling, cows having deficiencies which tend to interfere 

 seriously with their being economical producers should be discarded. Deficien- 

 cies in digestive capacity, dairy temperament, milk secretion and constitution 

 should be given first consideration. Deficiencies in symmetry of form, breed 

 characteristics and qualities which simply please the eye are more pardonable 

 than those affecting production. 



Some Common' Deficiencies in Cows. A deficiency in one part of the 

 body is usually accompanied by deficiencies in other parts which one acquiring 

 the art of judging should soon learn. An expert is able to judge the character of 

 an animal quite accurately by taking careful note of the head. A long, narrow 



