CHAPTER XII 

 HOW INDIVIDUAL SELECTION IS MADE 



THERE are two means of selecting dairy cows to obtain the 

 characteristics desired : that is, individuals capable of using 

 the maximum amount of feed for milk production. The first 

 of these is by the conformation or type of the animal, and the 

 second is by keeping records of the production of each individ- 

 ual animal. 



There is no doubt that there is a dairy form or type that 

 generally goes with large milk and butter production. This 

 type is sufficient, as a rule, to enable competent judges to se- 

 lect very good cows from inferior ones, as described previously. 

 However, dairy type alone cannot be depended upon as a 

 means of selecting the best dairy animals from among a num- 

 ber of good ones. As a rule, it is possible to select cows that 

 are capable of producing from 300 to 350 pounds fat in a year 

 from those that will produce one half that amount, but it is 

 practically impossible to select a cow capable of producing 400 

 to 500 pounds of fat from one producing 300 pounds of fat. 

 Often even those most familiar with the subject will make 

 decided errors in selecting animals by this means. Within 

 the limits given selection by conformation can be made use of 

 by an intelligent and observing person. 



In case an animal is to be purchased for which no records 

 of production have been kept, the buyer must depend mostly 



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