134 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN S ASSOCIATION. 



keeping some of their cows at an actual loss. Frequently one- 

 third and sometimes one-half of the cows in a herd are unprofita- 

 ble ones. And it isn't an uncommon thing to find a whole herd 

 that way. 



The dairyman, in his ignorance, not only keeps those cows, 

 but gives them as good feed and care as his best ones, and instead 

 of those cows putting money in his pocket as they should, he 

 puts his hand in his pocket and puts the money in them in the 

 shape of grain, hay, etc. Many patrons seem to think that the 

 profits must come from the creamery instead of the farm, whereas, 

 if they would look a little closer home for the trouble and cull out 

 those unprofitable cows, there would be less fault found with 

 the manufacturing cost of butter as well as the price received 

 per pound. 



Every patron should keep an annual record of each cow in 

 his herd. He should also have a profitable standard and all 

 mature cows (notice that word mature) that do not come up to 

 that standard should be disposed of. Caution, however, should 

 be used in disposing of these unprofitable cows. A cow should 

 never be sold on a one year's record. We all know that cows 

 have their " off years." If a cow does not make a good record 

 the first year do not sell her, as it might be her off year and you 

 would be selling one of your best cows. Of course, it will depend 

 to some extend upon the cow's ancestry as well as her dairy form 

 whether she should have a two or a three years' trial. 



And right here in improving our dairies lies the remedy 

 for so much of the unwholesome milk brought to our creameries. 

 You will ask how is that? If all unprofitable cows should be 

 disposed of the balance will make as much profit, if not more 

 than the whole herd formerly did, and the time wasted in caring 

 for those unprofitable cows could profitably be spent in improv- 

 ing the quality of the milk. For a number of years the state 

 has been keeping the records of the cows in a number of herds, 

 but it would be impossible for the state to keep the record of 

 each cow in Illinois. It lies then with the creameries or the 

 patron to take up this work. 



