54 Internal Influences on the Character of Milk. 



The great variation which occurs in the milk production of 

 individuals of the same breeds depends on hereditary qualities. 

 According to the statistics of the dairy control station at Algau, 

 animals of the Algauer breed produce : 



Quantity of Fat Percentage Quantity of 

 Milk Fat 



Maximal production 5201 kg. 4.603 181.93 kg. 



Minimal production 1255 kg. 2 . 493 45 . 31 kg. 



Difference 3946 kg. 2.11 136.62 kg. 



Among 50 of the Jeverland breed 



Maximal production 8699 kg. 3.713 286.76 kg. 



Minimal production 2449 kg. 2.482 75.21 kg. 



Difference 6250 kg. 1.231 211.55 kg. 



The production of single individuals during the lactation 

 period is sometimes remarkably large. Some of the following 

 data relative to production is taken from Kirchner's handbook. 



Percentage Quantity 

 Author Cow Quantity of Milk of Fat of Fat 



Kirsten Wesermarsch .. 11291 kg. 2.78 324 kg. 



5th calving 



Kirsten East Friesian . . 9047.75kg. 3.07 277.77kg. 

 6th calving 



Woll Guernsey 6768 kg. 5.745 388.8 kg. 



"Yeksa Sunbeam" 



Kirchner also quoted a case in which a farmer observed that 

 a seven-year old cow in the second month after calving still pro- 

 duced 50 liters of milk per day. 



Just as the quantity of milk and percentage of fat may vary, 

 so also the fat-free solid substances may vary in the individuals, 

 although only within narrow limits. The rule also holds good here 

 that an individual with milk rich in fat will at the same time pro- 

 duce more fat-free solids. 



Normally fed animals which are not individually large pro- 

 ducers cannot be brought up to a remarkable increase of produc- 

 tion through any agency. The elimination of the poor assimilators 

 of food in favor of good producers, which is a matter of economic 

 necessity, should be based upon the capacity of the individual cow 

 to properly utilize her food. Only through a systematic test of 

 milkings and production records can the profits of the dairy be 

 increased. 



In judging individuals as milk producers by their external 

 conformation, the following rules of the German Society for 

 Breeds and Breeding may serve as a basis : 



