DAIRY FUNCTION 275 



it depends directly on the quantity of food consumed. 

 While the producing ability of an animal may be hindered 

 through other sources than limited food consumption and 

 a deficient mammary system, these two factors are of the 

 utmost significance. 



A well-balanced animal involving the factors named 

 above will usually have normal activity and ultimate milk- 

 producing capacity, although certain unknown factors may 

 impair or permanently retard one or more of these func- 

 tions. While it is not always possible to use production as 

 a basis in selecting dairy cows, it is always desirable to do 

 so, especially when animals can be selected having records 

 extending over long, continuous periods. It is not possible 

 for a student to follow this practice, neither has it been 

 established in show ring judging except under specialized 

 conditions. Because of the impracticability of always 

 measuring the capacity of a dairy animal on her actual 

 producing ability, the body form and other exterior evidences 

 of heavy and continuous production are used as a basis 

 for selecting animals. 



Experience and observation have taught that there are 

 certain basic conditions or relations between heavy and 

 continuous milk production. It is on these foundation 

 principles that dairy cattle are judged by making general 

 and scrutinized examinations of the exterior form and 

 development. The degree of productiveness or usefulness 

 is determined by the degree of development of the factors 

 mentioned above. Deficiency or delicacy in one or all 

 impairs the efficiency of the animal to the extent of the 

 deficiency, whether singly or combined in influence. The 

 judge of long experience is able to detect very accurately 

 the actual working capacity of an animal because of the 

 known relation of each factor to this capacity as well as their 

 combined influence. Limited observation or experience can 

 only assume the actual effect on production of a deficient 

 form, cramped digestive capacity, weakened constitution 

 or low vitality, a small mammary system, or a weak circu- 

 latory system. A complete knowledge based on years of 

 observation and practice is essential to a determination of 



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