ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 333 



DIFFERENCE IN HERDS AND INDIVIDUALS. 



By W. J. Fraser, Chief of Dairy Husbandry, University of Illinois. 



As there is a. difference in men in their character and earn- 

 ing power, so there is a difference in dairy herds of cattle found 

 on Illinois farms. The difference in the herds is likely to cor- 

 respond to the difference in the men. This is admitted as self- 

 evident but perhaps without attaching much importance to the 

 statement. But probably few people have studied these differ- 

 ences enough to appreciate their extent. For instance, would we 

 think, without special investigation, that one herd of cows cost- 

 ing only a third more than another herd, may bring the owner 

 three times, or five times, or even ten times as much clear profit ? 

 Is it clearly understood that some Illinois herds do not pay for 

 the feed given them? That other herds pay too small a margin 

 of profit to justify the investment in money and labor? And 

 that still other herds are making their owners big money? Do 

 dairymen, in general, know that these differences rest on plain 

 causes that may be understood, and that a change from the poor 

 herd to the highly profitable herd is a comparatively easy matter 

 within the reach of any farmer who is able to keep cows at all? 

 For answer, look at the following facts personally known to 

 members of this department. 



The cuts here shown illustrates a wide difference in two herds 

 in the same locality in this state. Isn't the one a most beautiful 

 herd? But there is a deeper difference than that. A little study 

 of the individuals shows that handsome cattle have a better dairy 

 form and are in higher condition. It wouldn't be hard to make 

 choice between herds, just on their looks. And the cows them- 

 selves, as seen recently by the writer, show a much greater differ- 

 ence than do these pictures. But the figures of their production, 

 their profits to the farmer, tell a story that pales all these appar- 

 ent differences into insignificance and forever puts an impassable 

 gulf between these two herds — and the two kinds of cows they 

 represent. 



