78 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



respect. In Switzerland the cows usually come into milk at 

 about three years of age. While they are rather slow to 

 mature, they are noted for continuing to be sure breeders 

 until they reach an advanced age. Their excellent breeding 

 characteristics which are one of the strong features of this 

 breed come from the favorable conditions under which they 

 have been kept and the sensible management. 



In Switzerland this breed is considered to be a dual-pur- 

 pose breed and is usually classed that way in America. 

 However, recently the Brown Swiss breeders decided that 

 their breed should be classed in America as a dairy breed 

 and developed for this purpose. The animals of this breed 

 produce a fair quality of beef, grow rapidly, and reach a 

 good size at an early age, but they are not received very well 

 on the market on account of the large bones and probably 

 in part from prejudice on account of their similarity in color 

 to the Jerseys. For production of veal they rank high as 

 the calves are large at birth and grow rapidly. 



Dairy Characteristics. There are comparatively few 

 figures available showing production by animals of this 

 breed in America. One of the leading herds of this breed 

 owned by E. M. Barton, Hinsdale, 111., includes cows 

 with the following 12 months' records : 



MILK No. Cows 



12,000-13,000 2 



11,000-12,000 7 



10,000-11,000 8 



9,000-10,000 4 



8,000- 9,000 10 



7,000- 8,000 2 



The highest fat yield in this herd is 513 pounds, while 23 

 are above 400 pounds. These records indicate that this breed 



