CHAPTER 54 



Dairy Breeds of Cattle 



By George C. Humphrey 

 Professor of Animal Husbandry, University of Wisconsin 



Dairy Breeds Essential. — Choosing a dairy breed of cattle is funda- 

 mental to successful dairying. The modern improved breeds of dairy 

 cattle are the result of high ideals, carefully laid plans and systematic 

 effort on the part of many generations of dairymen who realized there 

 were great possibilities in the development of breeds of cattle especially 

 adapted for large and economical production of milk and butter-fat. 

 Cattle which are true representatives of the recognized dairy breeds are 

 very distinct from ordinary native cattle and cattle of the improved beef 

 breeds, both in conformation and production of milk. They also tend to 

 reproduce themselves from generation to generation with such marked 

 degree of uniformity that one familiar with their history and character- 

 istics would reject any other kind if he were engaged primarily in dairying. 

 Natural laws that govern the reproduction of plant and animal life and 

 preserve forms of like character from generation to generation and the 

 experience of a vast number of dairymen teach the value of preserving and 

 utilizing the distinct dairy breeds of cattle for dairy purposes. 



Dairy Type Common to All Dairy Breeds. — The development of dairy 

 breeds has established a distinct dairy type that is naturally correlated 

 with extensive milk production. Dairy type refers to the conformation 

 and peculiarities of the body that are characteristic of animals capable of 

 producing large and economical yields of milk and includes the following: 



1. Medium to large size of body for the breed. 



2. Large feed capacity, as indicated by a roomy and capacious abdom- 



inal cavity, a large mouth and sufficient strength of body to 

 consume and utilize a large quantity of feed. 



3. Dairy temperament or a disposition to convert the larger portion 



of feed consumed into milk rather than body flesh. It is 

 indicated by the absence of surplus flesh and a comparatively 

 lean and refined appearance of the entire body. 



4. An udder that is large, carried well up to the body, evenly and 



normally developed in all quarters and of good quality. 



5. A strong, healthy flow of blood to all parts of the body, giving 



vigor, alertness and constitution. These characteristics are 

 indicated by prominent facial, udder and mammary veins, 

 abundant secretions in the ears, skin of the body and at the 

 end of the tail and a coat of fine straight hair. 

 (658) 



