64 DAIRY FARMING 



over 400 associations are in operation in that country and 

 probably an equal number in other countries of Europe. 



These associations are formed by groups of farmers own- 

 ing from 500 to 1000 cows. A man is employed who goes 

 from farm to farm spending a day at each. He weighs the 

 milk from each cow and tests it for fat content. He cal- 

 culates the yield of each cow for the month, the cost of feed, 

 and income above feed cost. He also advises the farmer 

 as far as possible regarding methods of feeding and other 

 details. The cost is usually from $1 to $1.50 per cow each 

 year. In a few cases in the United States the man who does 

 the testing also keeps a full set of cost accounts for the farm. 



52. Advanced Registry. One of the important factors 

 in the improvement of dairy cattle is the system of advanced 

 registration as conducted by the associations representing 

 the different dairy breeds. The ordinary registration of 

 animals insures the purity of their breeding, but does not 

 indicate their individual merits. Advanced registration 

 gives an accurate record of the production. Cows must be 

 registered in the herdbook before the tests are made. If 

 the production reaches or exceeds a certain standard, they 

 are registered again in another series. This is called advanced 

 registration. The weighing of the milk and the testing for 

 fat are done by representatives of the experiment station 

 in the state where the cow is owned. This insures an ac- 

 curate record made by a disinterested person. 



Many changes in the rules and requirements have been 

 made for the various breeds since the system was begun in 

 1890. At present the standards set by the different breeds 

 are not uniform, and occasional changes are made, so it is 

 necessary for a breeder of pure-bred cattle to become familiar 

 with the rules and practices governing his breed at the time. 



