CHAPTER 3 



SELECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DAIRY 

 CATTLE 



C. H. ECKLES 

 SELECTION OF A BREED 



35. Selection of a Breed. One of the first questions that 

 arises in starting a herd is the choice of a breed. There is a 

 tendency to attach too much importance to this decision. 

 In choosing a breed the following points should be con- 

 sidered. 



1. Kind of cattle most common in the locality. 



2. Form in which the products are to be marketed. 



3. Topography, climate, and food supply. 



4. Preference of the breeder. 



5. Average production of milk. 



6. Average production of butter-fat. 



7. Economy of production of milk and fat. 



8. Breeding qualities of the cows. 



9. Vigor of the calves. 



10. Adaptability of the calves for veal, and beef value of 

 discarded cows and bulls. 



1 1 . Original cost and probable demand for surplus animals. 

 Most of the points have been discussed in the previous 



chapter. The advantages to the farmer of using the same 

 kind of stock as his neighbors, should be given far greater 

 prominence than his own preference or any small points of 



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