10 BULLETIN 1071, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



extent in different localities and on different farms in the same 

 locality. At the present time in market-milk districts there is gen- 

 erally a surplus of milk in the late spring and early summer. For 

 that reason, if for no other, the dairy business should be so man- 

 aged as to have more cows freshen in the fall. Such a practice would 

 add to the profits of the producer, give the consumer a more con- 

 stant supply of dairy products, and bring about a better distribution 

 of farm labor throughout the year. 



SUMMARY. 



1. The tabulation includes the yearly records of 10,870 cows in 

 64 cow-testing associations. 



2. On an average the cows that freshened in the fall produced 

 6,689 pounds of milk, while those that freshened in the winter, 

 summer, and spring produced 6,439, 5,941, and 5,842 pounds, re- 

 spectively. 



3. On an average the cows that freshened in the fall produced 

 268 pounds of butterfat, while those that freshened in the winter, 

 spring, and summer produced 258, 236, and 236 pounds, respec- 

 tively. 



4. On an average the cows that freshened in the fall returned 

 $76.65 in income over cost of feed, while those that freshened in the 

 winter, spring, and summer returned $75.66, $70.73, and $66.59, 

 respectively. 



5. In the 64 cow-testing associations fall freshening ranked first 

 29 times in average milk production, winter freshening ranked first 

 18 times, summer freshening 10 times, and spring freshening 7 

 times. 



6. In butterfat production fall freshening ranked first 38 times, 

 winter 13 times, summer 8 times, and spring 7 times. 



7. In income over cost of feed fall freshening ranked first 30 

 times, winter 17 times, spring 9 times, and summer 8 times. 



8. In considering the months separately the cows that freshened 

 in October ranked first in production of milk, those that freshened 

 in December ranked second, and those that freshened in November 

 ranked third. 



9. In butterfat production October freshening ranked first, No- 

 vember second, December third, and September fourth. 



10. In income over cost of feed December freshening ranked first, 

 October second, November third, and January fourth. 



