The Ordway new era., 1917-07-13
Dairy Farming
and Its Benefits


incidentally. he may be made to run
fodder cutter or cream separator
and perform valuable service. AS
age and strength incrase, let the staff
be supplemented by strap, chain, or
rope attached to a second ring. To
this may we'll be added some hitching
or leading chain with strong strap
around the horns or neck. Let there
always be double hitching device,
so that the bull may never by acci-
dent find himself loose when he
should be tied. frestrictiveness and
temper are shown. add to the exer-
else, in duration or quantity, without
violence; bull physically tired may
be depended upon to be quiet and
easily managed.
1t is much better to keep the bull
as much as possible in the presence
or in full sight of the herd than stab
led by himself in lonely place. Let
him be in the same room with the
cows during the stabling season, and
at milking times the rest of the year.
INDIVIDUALITY AND CULLING
THE HERD BY ITS RECORD
Keeping Records-As soon as the
herd is established and in working
order, the study of every individual
animal should begin. To guide ration
al treatment and insure greatest prof
it, the owner must become familiar
with the characteristics of every cow.
Peculiarities of temperament, suscep-
tibility to surroundings and varied
conditions, and especially the dairy
capacity of the animal, should be mat
ters of observation, deliberation, and
record, not merely Of conjecture and
memory. The record of the herd is
matter of utmost Importance. The
system Of record should conform to
the circumstances of the case and ex-
tent of the business. It is desirable
to reduce the labor OF bookkeeping to
minimum, and yet accuracy and
sufficiency of record must be secur-
ed. Fortunately, inexpensive forms
can now be found for sale, which are
based upon long expernience and in
variety to suit different wants.) The
record should include a concise his
tory and description of every mem
ber of the herd. with a summary Of
the dairy performance. The latter
requires a daily record of the milk
Weld of every COW. with notes ex-
Lot, ;,,v 10 10
II interest.
KEEP MILK RECORDS
II the quality of the milk is mat
ter of any Importance. as 1t is in
most cases. and ought to be, however,
the milk is disposed Of. fat test
should be made of the milk of every
COW, for several consecutive milkings,
as often as practicable. Some form
of the Babcock tester is the simplest.
and now within the reach of every
dairyman. According to the size Of
the apparatus. certain number OF
milk samples can be tested at one
time, and thus the record OF large
herd can be completed in a few days.
1t is well to make this test and record
Of the quality of every cows milk at
least once a month. The most sat
isfactory practical record is the aver
age percentage Of fat found in the
milk of several successive milkings,
samples from which may be mixed
and this composite sample" tested.
thus obtaining the average; the me-
thod is easily learned and practiced.
This record of quality. taken peri
odically, Joined with summary of
the daily quantity of milk, gives a
full dairy record or the COW, upon
which her value can readily be COM
puted. To give the owner more
complete knowledge of his opera
tions. there should also be record.
of at least approximate accuracy, of
the food Of every COW. with monthly
summaries of quantities or value, so
that the economy OF production may
be shown.
WHAT RECORDS SHOW
Value of Records-Such records
are far more easily made than the
description may indicate, and are
well worth all they cost. They form
the only accurate and safe basis for
Judging the individual merits of the
different animals. The Improvement
of every herd, which should be the
constant aim Of It's owner, depends
upon periodical cu1img and getting
rid of unworthy members. No one can
afford to do this upon guessing alone.
One welf-authenticated example of