The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-01-19
How TO Increase the Butter
Fat in Milk
By Q. F, Reed. Prof, Of Dairy Hnsbandry IN
the Kansas State Agricultural College,
Manhattan. Kansas.


per cent Of butter fat in cows
milk by feeding. The per cent OF
fat in milk, or the richness of milk
is a breed characteristic and can
not be increased or decreased for
any length of time by change Of
feed or other conditions affecting
the COW, If richer milk, a milk
that contains higher per cent Of
fat is desired, one should select a
breed Of cattle that gives a rich
testing milk. The Jersey and
Guernsey breeds of cattle give the
highest testing milk of any breeds;
the Holstein, Ayrshire and Short
horn test very much lower. The
average test for the Jersey and
Guernsey is about per cent, and
for the Holstein, Ayrshire and
Shorthorn 81 to A per cent. 1t is
not always the highest testing COW
that gives the highest total pro-
duction of butter fat. The total
butter fat production of the Jersey
COW does not always exceed the
total production of butter fat of
the Holstein COW. The Jersey
gives rich, but small amount of
milk, while the Holstein gives a
large amount of milk which con-
tains lower per cent of fat. Too
much emphasis is usually placed
upon the richness of the milk Civ
en- by dairy cattle. A knowledge
of the total amount of milk given
by each individual COW in the herd
is far more important than know
ing the butter fat test of each COW
regardless of what breed one han
dies. Within breeds the per cent
of butter fat does not vary as
much as the total amount of milk
given BY individuals of breed.
Then, in selecting cows for butter
fat production one should select
such cows that give a high pro-
duction of milk. A HoIstein COW
now holds the worlds record for
both milk and butter fat produc-
ton. This COW, Colantha 4ths
Johanna, made in one year 1893
pounds of butter fat and 27432
pounds of milk. The Jersey COW,
Jacoba Irene, made in one year
954 pounds OF butter Fat and 1883
pounds of milk. Netherhall
Brownie 9th, an Ayrshire COW
produced 82l pounds Of butter fat
and $4,000 pounds of milk in one
yea The Guernsey COW, SPOTS
wood Daisy Pearl made 937 pounds
of butter fat and 1898 pounds of
milk in one year. By studying
the above figures one can readily
see that there is not much differ
ence between breeds. No one
could judge by the per cent of fat
which COW would produce the most
butter fat in the year. The aver
erage test for the milk given by
the Jersey COW was 5.52 per cent
for the year. The average test OF
the Ayrshire COW was As per cent
while the Guernsey COW was 5 per
cent for the year.
After one has selected good in
divldual cows of his favorite breed
the only way he can obtain the
highest total amount of butter fat
is by iudicious feeding and hand
ling of the cows in the herd. By
proper feeding one can obtain the
highest production of milk from
the COW, and this will be accom-
panied by a total increase in the
butter fat. The economical feed
ing and housing of cows resolves
itself into study and execution
of the lesson which nature teaches.
The greatest production of milk is
obtained in May and June, or in
early summer. At this time the
COW is doing her best. The ration
received at this time is natures
ration, grass, in its choicest form.
On studying this ration we find 1t
to be made up as follows:
1. An abundance of palatable
food
9. A balanced ration
3. A suceulent ration
4. The cow is comfortable.