The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-05-07
For Better Dairylne

State Commissioner of Agriculture
o. l.. Martin has recently issued a
bulletin called the Cow Testing AS
ISOLATION Number" which oaght TO
be read by every owner of dairy In
Vermont. He answers the question,
What is Cow Testing Association
as follows:
"A COW testing association is sim
ply an association of dairymen form
ed for the purpose OF learning the
dairy abilities OF their several COWS
Ii is a method whereby, through the
employment of an expert who travels
from farm TO farm, this work Is done
for the various members accurately,
cheaply, easily. The proposition is
one of Danish inception. 1t is said
that the scheme originated with a
woman, whose husband was trying to
improve his herd by careful selection
by weighing the milk Of each COW,
testing 1t for its fat content and keep
ing careful record. She conceived the
idea that their neighbors might coop
crate in hiring man to do this work,
which could then be carried on in
greater detail. with less expense, and
perhaps with more accuracy than by
the individual farmer A commun-
ity meeting was held, the plan out
lined, and the first association form
ed in lS95.
THE COW testing association has
had vogue on this continent for about
six years and such organizations are
now being formed in many dairy sec
tons There are five or more In
Maine, a few in New York and Penn
sylvania, many in Michigan. Wiscon
sin. Minnesota, Ohio and other states
There are probably more in Wiscon
sin than in any other one state. Some
60 or more were recently at work IN
the provinces OF Quebec and Ontario
The plan Is practical one. II Is IN
expensive. II affords reasonably accur
ate data. II possesses educational fea
lures and It pays. All this has beer
demonstrated beyond the possibility
OF doubt"
The reports from the association.
In Vermont are Of a widely varying
character. In one association one
COW In four was kept at essentially
no profit. or at loss, while In an
other one COW in every four made
more than S25 profit.
This work has only fairly beer
begun In this state and there Is little
money available for state aid. II
Maine considerable state appropri
alton is provided and state dairy in
structor attends every dairy test as
ISOLATION meeting.
A Maine bulletin issued tells wha
the members have learned from IN,
Cow Test association work In tina
state.
The sentences printed below are
said to be accurate quotations from
remarks made by members OF the dif
ferent associations at the monthly
meetings held during the past yea
and tersely express the appreciation
these men feel for the Cow Test as
ISOLATION.
IL have learned the value OF definite
knowledge concerning ones business
Il have learned the value Of meth
cd In conducting n dairy business.
II have learned that COWS vary II
production OF milk and milk fat.
Il have learned that protein Is foo,
requirements.
II have learned that the cost 4
produce n pound Of milk fat varicl
widely with different COWS.
u have learned that the consuminl
capacity OF COW often exceeds ho
producing capacity.
Il have learned something OF IN,
part the food nutrients play In the
economy OF animal life and milk pro
duction.
81 have learned much concerning
methods Of feeding.
II have learned the analysis OF fee,
stuffs.
II have learned that cows vary 4
sometimes fed In excess.
II have learned 20 have a genuln,
pride IN good dairy COWS.
II have learned the Importance oil
breeding.
u have learned that breeding opor