220 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



suits obtained in this way are much more valuable than those 

 where the owners confine their weighing to the weeks when the 

 composite samples are taken. From these continuous milk rec- 

 ords and the tests of the composite samples, the year's produc- 

 tion can be determined within 5 per cent of the actual amount. 

 The owner, knowing the kinds, approximate amounts and cost of 

 the different foods, together with the amount and value of each 

 cow's production, can determine very closely by this simple and 

 practical method the comparative value of his cows. It is a mat- 

 ter of weighing the milk from each cow separately, keeping a 

 record of the amounts and testing a composite sample from each 

 cow every ninth week. The data used in the following discus- 

 sion were obtained from the testing of herds in various parts of 

 southern Illinois in the way just indicated. In all cases the herds 

 were selected with reference to the character and standing of the 

 owners in their respective communities, so that the records would 

 be as nearly correct as it is possible to make them. In addition, 

 it may be said that samples have been tested with the utmost care 

 so that the final results are of more than ordinary value. It is 

 but fair to those who study the figures presented, to say that in 

 most cases the herds tested were the best or among the best in the 

 community, yet this does not hold in every instance, for some of 

 them were decidedly poor. This, together with the additional 

 fact that the price of milk and butter averaged fairly high ex- 

 plains why so few cows were found that were actually unprofit- 

 able. The figures which are about to be presented contain abun- 

 dant food for thought on the part of all, but I especially call the 

 attention of the man with the inferior herd to the lesson they 

 teach. Some of the figures given were obtained from herds 

 within four miles of this hall and all were obtained from herds 

 in this part of the state. The prices assigned to milk and butter 

 fat are not held to be absolutely correct, yet are approximately 

 so and assist one in comparing the value of the product of the 

 different animals. In the discussion of the following records, it 

 will be understood that they are for one year unless otherwise 

 stated. 



