230 



PRODUCTIVE FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 



Only a limited number of cows of the various breeds were in- 

 cluded in these tests, and the conditions under which the tests were 

 conducted at the different stations differed more or less, as did also 

 the breeds represented in the respective trials. The results, there- 

 fore, cannot be taken as absolute evidence of the capacity of the 

 different breeds for dairy production, but they doubtless show in a 

 general way the relative value of the breeds in the dairy. We note 

 that the breeds rank as shown below in regard to: (a) Yield of 

 milk, (6) yield of butter fat, (c) per cent of fat, (d) feed cost for 

 100 pounds milk, (e) feed cost per one pound butter fat. 



Individuality. — There are wide variations between individuals 

 within the same breed as to the capacity for milk production and 

 the quality of the milk produced. These variations are of much 



4,79* 



14.0 LB& 



I 



8 



9 



10 



II 



IZ 



Fig. 44. — Normal changes in the monthly yield and the fat content of the milk from 

 dairy cows with the progress of the lactation period, based on the results obtained in the 

 Wisconsin Dairy Cow Competition, 1909-11. 



greater magnitude than the average differences between the breed. 

 The great difference between individuals of the same breed as regards 

 the amount of production is familiar to all; an average cow pro- 

 duces, say, 20 pounds of milk a day, containing three-fourths pound 



