SELECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE 47 



SELECTION BY TYPE 



39. How Individual Selection is Made. There are in 

 general two methods of selecting dairy cows. The first is 

 by type or conformation, and the second is by records of 

 pr< 'duction. There is undoubtedly a certain conformation 

 th; t generally goes with high milk production. This con- 

 formation is generally distinct enough to enable experienced 

 judges to select very good from very inferior cows. As a 

 rule it is fairly easy to select cows that will yield 300 to 350 

 pounds of fat per year from those that will give half that 

 an ount. It is not possible, however, to judge by this means 

 alrne which one will produce 300 and which one 500 pounds 

 per year. Often even experienced judges will make decided 

 errors in selecting animals by thi's method, especially if the 

 cow is not in the most favorable condition to be judged. 

 Since records are available for very few cows offered for sale, 

 it is necessary for most cattle buyers to depend largely upon 

 type. 



If it were possible to select all cows when giving their 

 largest yield of milk, judging by type would be reasonably 

 accurate. Under practical conditions this is not possible, 

 and cows have to be selected that vary from dry to the high- 

 est milk flow. The appearance of a dry cow gives little 

 indication of her merits. 



40. The Dairy Type. The three striking points in the 

 conformation of a highly developed dairy cow are : 



1. The spare angular form, carrying no surplus flesh 

 but showing evidence of liberal feeding in her vigorous 

 condition. 



2. The extraordinary size and development of the udder 

 and milk veins. 



