DAIRYING IN PORTO RICO. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Introduction 3 
Need of dairying in Porto Rico 4 
Some breeds in Porto Rico 5 
Selecting the breed 7 
Improving the breed 8 
The cattle tick 8 
Tuberculosis 9 
The liver fluke 9 
Page, 
Available cattle feeds 10 
Feeding 11 
Silage 12 
Soiling 13 
Cattle barns and milk sheds 13 
Milking 14 
Dairy yields in Porto Rico 15 
Summary 18 
INTRODUCTION. 
The cattle generally found in Porto Rico are doubtless descendants 
of some that were introduced from Spain at an early date following 
the discovery of the Western Hemisphere. Probably few other in- 
troductions were made until about the close of the last century, when 
improved cattle were brought in and merged with the native stock. 
Of these crosses there is, however, little evidence and no record. The 
introduction of some Zebu blood about 60 years ago had excellent 
results, which are still visible in the large working stock. With the 
exception of this strain, the cattle show no evidence of improved 
blood. 
During the 400 years the island was under the Spanish regime, 
apparently no efforts were made to improve the cattle for any specific 
purposes. The males were used principally for draft animals (PI. 
I, Fig. 1), and the females were kept for breeding. Dairying was 
only incidental, the milk being a by-product. Notwithstanding the 
general lack of care and neglect of selection of breeding animals, 
ihe native cattle are of splendid physique and strong frame, features 
which are due to the luxuriant and nutritious pastures and the equa- 
ble climate. In milking qualities, however, they fall far below their 
worth for beef production and as work animals. (PI. I, Fig. 2.) 
The flow of milk is small and the fat content is often variable. 
Improvement is being brought about by the introduction of new 
blood, care in selection, and rational methods in the feeding, care, 
and treatment of the animals. 
The cattle industry in Porto Rico is closely interwoven with the 
sugar industry, one advancing as the other declines. Formerly. 
3 
