The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-05-23
COOPERATIVE COW TESTING

Cooperative COW testing associa-
tions like most cooperative organ
izations are OF recent origin. The
history of this particular kind of CO.
operation dates back to 1895. In
that year two associations were
formed In Denmark They proved
TO be OF inestimable value to the
dairy farmer, and accordingly their
numbers increased rapidly until to-
day there are about 600 distinct as
sociations in Denmark alone. Prac-
tically every European country where
dairying is carried on to any extent
has followed Denmark's example.
Sweden boasts of nearly 700 associa-
tions, Germany of 200, Norway of
$50, Finland of 100 and Russia of
so.
The history of COW testing associa-
tions in the United States is very
similar to that in Europe except that
they started ten years later. Our
own state is said to have had the
first association in the United States.
1t was formed in 1905 at Freemont,
Mich, by Mr.. Helmer Rabild, now
in charge of dairy investigation work
at Washington, ID. G.. Since that time
associations have been formed in
practically every dairy state of any
Importance in the United States.
The purpose of the COW testing
association is to enable the farmer
to know the cost of the product of
his herd, and the efficiency of the
several COWS whick he keeps. To
obtain these results without an asso-
citation makes it necessary for each
farmer to keep, at regular intervals,
record of the product of his sew
eral cows, and also a record of the
| feed consumed. The Improbable
COWS kept by men who admit the ne
cessity of some form of record by
which to improve their herd is proof
that the average farmer is not in a
position to do thorough and regular
work. Where associations have
| been in operation it has been found
more practical and economical to
have the work done by tester than
for each farmer to attempt to do it
| himself.
To organize a successful associa-
| tion there should be at least twenty
six separate herds, so as to keep the
| tester busy each working day in the
month. The herds should have
total of not less than 400 cows, and
each member pays pro rata accord
| ing to the number of cows eh owns.
The larger the number of cows
| the larger will be the income from
| the pro rata tax, and consequently
the association can support more
competent and experienced tester
and adviser Unfortunately in the
past some associations have tried to
exist with small number OF cows.
The results were: first too large
pro rata tax; second, an incompetent
and inexperienced tester; third, gen.
eral dissatisfaction and discomfort.
In the past it has been the GUS
| tom to get 26 to 28 dairymen in a
community to form an association,
each agreeing to pay certain
amount per year per COW to defray
the expences of the association.
There are always certain few in
every organization, who either
through inability to see the bene-
| fits from such an organization, or
for other personal reasons, are
ready to drop out at the end of the
first year. This is frequently dis
astrous to the association.
To overcome this weakness the at
tempt is now being made to organ
| iZe all new associations in the form
of a stock company under state law.
Under this system each of teh men,
bers subscribes $1,000 for each of
| two shares of the company's tsock.
| In this way each member must re-
main in the association until he can
| find some one to purchase his shares
of stock. The necessity of this step
| in keeping the association intact,
land on a firm business basis is read
The tester is the most important
man in the association. In choos-
| ing a tester the association should
aim to get man with as much
training and experience as possible.
To do efficietn work he must be able
to accurately weigh, sample, and test
each cows milk each month. From
this he must compute for each month
and for the year the actual produc-
ton of each animal. He must know
the composition and value of the diff
ferent feeds and be able to compute
economical rations for the members
of the association. His records must
be so kept that the members will
know the actual value of the prod
uct of each animal and the cost OF
her keep. The tester who is COM
petent to do these things is going
long way toward improving the dairy
interest of the state.
In conclusion we can say that the
Cooperative Cow Testing Association
has been Of considerable value to the
dairymen in the past. We look for
greater results in the future. Any
information regarding the formation
of an association will be gladly fur
nished by the Dairy Husbandry De-
partment OF the Michigan Agricultur-
al College, East Lansing, Mich.
The Agricultural committee or the
Michigan Bankers association are
doing good work in promoting
+b,on taefe throuphout tha state.