The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-25
FARM AND
GARDEN ~
INTERESTS
Best Dairy Cows.
Wisconsin Station Bulletin.

Wisconsin Station Bulletin
Everything considered, cows representing
the large dairy type are clearly in the lead |
for the economic production of milk and
butter fat. The results of our four years
work with cows of the extreme dairy type
not only failed TO establish the claim for the
superiority of cows of this type over a
much larger and apparently stronger dairy
type, but clearly showed that they are not
as large producers nor as profitable dairy
animals as the latter.
That the extreme dairy type has been
popular, at least in this States, is evinced,
among other reasons, by the fact that three
of the cows selected for the university herd
at solicitation by prominent dairymen
in our State were fair representatives Of
this type of cows. Our Investigations have
been conducted under the most favorable
conditions possible for this type of COWS.
The stable in which they have been kept
is considered a model one as regards clean
liness light, ventilation and general COM
fort OF the animals Water is provided for
them in the stalls, so that they are not ex-
posed TO inclement weather at any time.
They are given the best care and attention
at all times, being fed literally, kept dur
ing the hot summer months in the cool,
darkened barn, protected from and flies
and fed various green feeds and grain in
summer, as well as protected from extreme
cold in winter
In view of the ever-increasing demands
on the part of dairymen for cows that will
have endurance and ability TO withstand
disease, as we'll as great productive capaci-
ties, we do not hesitate to state that in our
| opinion 1t is not the part of wisdom for our
with a spare habit of body in an extreme
| degree as the most desirable type of dairy
| cow.
1 iairVman 70 Of
representing the dual purpose type, and to
| expect the greatest profit from them in the
| production of milk and butter fat 1t is
| clearly evident, however, that cows of this
| class will return large profit over cost Of
feed consumed in the shape of dairy prod
uets, leaving out of consideration the SUI
| duction. Less than 20 per cent. of the
| farmers in this State are classified as
| dairymen, according to the latest statistics.
and a large majority of the remaining so
| per cent. are not greatly interested in a
| special purpose dairy cow. Their inclina-
| tions and general conditions are evidently
not favorable to the keeping of dairy cows
/ in sufficient numbers to consume all the
| rough feed produced on their farms, and
| market, in conjunction with the production
| of milk, cows of the dual purpose type are
| to be recommended.
l. For the dairy farmer, however, the large
type of dairy cow of the particular breed
| suiting his fancy and weighing saw 900
pounds, or more, will, we believe, every
1
| factory
The conclusions here stated are based
| upon the performance Of the COWS in our
| herd during the last five years. and il is
| believed that they correctly represent in
| general the relative value of cows of the
| different types for milk and butter produc-
\ ton.
| Cows of exceptional productive capacity
| may be found within all the breeds and
| types mentioned. This is true to such an
| extent that ii would be quite possible to
| select individual animals from the different
| groups that would far outrank the aver
| ages for any one group, whether the com
| parison be based upon production or upon
net profit. The best COW in group pro-
| duced 4413 pounds of butter fat and
| yielded net profit of 1891; the best cow
| in group b produced 3S6.16 pounds of fat
! with net profit of $59.56, while the best
| cow in group G is credited with a produce
| ton of 1921 pounds of fat and a net profit
| of S69.64. One of the three largest pro-
| ducers and most economical cows i'm the
| herd is found in each group, and the six
| largest producers are likewise evenly dig
| tributed between the groups
| Cows of exceptional merit as producers
were found in about equal proportions
within the three types of cows represented
| in our herd While it Is well to place some
| Importance upon type in selecting cows for
| the dairy herd, there are so many cases
| in which the outward indications of type
| as at present understood, are no true meas
| ure OF cows productive capacity and
| value as dairy animal that it would be
| a mistake TO place the entire reliance upon
| 1t in the selection of dairy cows.