The Ordway new era., 1910-01-21
A FIRST PRIZE ESSAY
Producing tho Host Mik at tho Lsast
Cost Is tho Problem Discussed in a
kanner that Brings Highest award.

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The first prize offered by the de-
partmcnt OF health OF the City OF
New York IN the discussion nf cOun.
try milk inspection has been awarded
to J. II. Allen OF Union, BrOoDe
county, that state. Mr.. Aliens essay,
which deals with the problem OF pro-
ducing the most milk at the least
cost. follows:
"lIow clean and wholesome milk
may be produced at the least cost
for the New York market:
"This Is one OF the most serious
problems that Is confronting the
twentieth century dairymen, and must
be dealt with accordingly. The yield
must be increased, the cost OF produc.
tion lowered and at the same time
produce clean and wholesome milk.
1.-The selection and breeding OF
dairy cows plays an important part In
lowering the cost OF productlon and
increasing the yield. The average
yield Of milk per COW over New York
State Is about $500 pounds Il year.
Anyone familiar with the price Of
milk and feed knows tnat Il COW CIV
ing $500 pounds OF milk IL year gives a
small compensation to the dairyman
for labor.
"By careful selection and breeding,
the yield can be increased to 1000 or
:, 900 pounds n year per COW in Il very
few years. The dairymen OF the past
and good majority OF the present
have paid too little attention to this
important subject by breeding their
cows to scrub sires. lowering instead
Of raising the milk production,
''lt Is not necessary to have all pure
bred cattle in order to have a good-
looking or n profitable herd. The old
saying that "blood will tell" Is a true
one, and we all know IL, whether we
heed it or not In our practice. There
are certain Limitations and certain
laws to which we must conform II we
are to succeed.
"To use "A Jersey sire one year, the
next a Holstcin and probably some
other kind, or no kind ut all at an
other time, will never give us uni
form dairy, either in appearance or
production.
SELECT A GOOD SIRE
"In the selection OF your pure-bred
sire remember that the sire Is "half
the herd," and do not stop for few
extra dollars in cost, but get the best
you possibly can. Many men are sat
isticd II they can buy u registered
calf, and the registration Is about al!
they get. 1t don't make sire better
because he is registered. Give more
attention to the dairy ability OF his
dam than you do to the color Of his
hair, being sure that he comes from a
good producing family. Take care OF
the sire and feed him we'll. Do not
use sire before one year old, and
then not too much, and give him plcn-
ty OF exercise.
"Where possible and practicable.
the sire may be purchased Jointly.
which will lower its cost individually.
"Whcn you geta good sire keep him.
and II the use OF him strengthens
your belief in him, continue to use him
just as long as yrI can possibly use
him to advantage.
"You can safely breed each sire to
his own hcifers, If they are strong and
vigorous, but when it comes to breed
ing of the granddaughter you should
select another sire OF the same breed
and of the same family.
"Brced the heifcrs to frcshcn at q
years OF age, continue to milk her
twelve months and have her frcshcn
the second time at ! years of age, ard
then il she has been properly reared
she will begin to give her maximum
yield. She should have from four to
six weeks rest before frcshcning.
| FEED IS IMPORTANT
"Fccds and feeding Of the dairy
herd is one OF the most Importance in
this study OF economic milk produc-
tion. Anyone can feed an animal well
as to nourishment. II they take no
thought Of the cost Of the ration, but
it requires some study to feed well
and cheaply. To produce milk econ
omically we should use the rOughagc
of our farms wherever it is possible,
for by so doing we not only save the
labor Of hauling bulky materials, but
will also build up the fertility of our
land. If we must buy feed. let it be
concentrates and such materials az
are high in protein and carbohydrates.