Evening star., 1946-08-18
Milk Production Out of Line
Dairymen Urged to Convert to Fall
Freshening and Meet Market Demands

Asserting that the production oi
many herds is becoming more ano
more out of adjustment with the
fluid milk requirements of urban
communities. specialists last week
urged dairy farmers to convert tc
fall freshening.
Dairy specialists pointed out that
during the war, when the entire
fluid milk production was absorbed
Immediately by the markets regard
less Of season, a pronounced trend
to spring freshening developed until
the production of many herds be-
came out of adjustment to the
market demands.
"A constant cry for more milk
and dairy products has risen in
nearly every city," specialists said
and with the advancing milk prices
making dairying more attractive to
the farmer, 1t is important that he
adjust his business for maximum
returns. A greater fall production
should assist in this adjustment.
Specialists cited five reasons why
dalrymen will profit more by hav-
ing larger number of cows freshen
in the fall and winter. They are
l. Fall and winter freshenine
cows produce more milk and they
produce it more evenly throughout
the year than do spring-freshening
cows. In the spring. the fresh
pasture and favorable weather re-
stimulate the milk production oi
fall-freshening cows near the enc
of their lactations.
Uniform Distribution.
2. Uniform production through
out the year means more uniform
labor distribution, with better op-
portunity for greater net profit with
good COWS and dependable labor.
3. When COWS freShen in the fall
they produce a greater income ovel
feed cost. The more expensive barr
feeding takes place with the fall
fresh COWS when they are naturally
at their highest levels of production
4. Calves from fall-freshening
cows can be cared for to better
advantage in the winter months
when the dairyman may have more
time. Furthermore, when spring
comes, the calves should be de-
veloped enough so that they can
make efficient use of pasture.
S. Steady. even production pro-
vides better basis for uniform
distribution. The market distress
that results from cumbersome sea
|sonal surpluses leads only to loss.
Needs Management.
Unfortunately, when q herds pro-
duction gets out of adjustment
with market requirements, uni
formity cannot be established in
milk production easily. Several
methods may be used, however, over
period of time:
1. Management: Establish we'll
planned routine and time schedule
for feeding and milking the herd
Adopt the managed milking method
Provide an environment that will
keep the cows clean, comfortable
quiet and contented.
2. Keep only good producers and
feed them literally: Good breeding
and liberal feeding of top-quality
homegrown hay and silage in
winter and abundant pasturage
throughout the summer furnish a
sound basis for dairy profits. With
grain feeds quite expensive, profits
from milk production next fall and
winter will depend more than ever
upon how much good quality legume
hay and silage can be fed. Consider
some fall grazing to stimulate milk
production.
8. Feed grain discreetely: High
producing cows require more nutri-
ment than they can get from good
quality roughages, in order to pro-
duce milk at uniformly high levels.
In order to prevent loss the feed
and milk scales should be used con-
stantly to make certain that every
COW is fed grain concentrates ac-
cording to her production needs.
4. Fit the dry cows for their work:
Cows due to freshen in September
and October should be given so to
60 days dry period. During their
dry period they should be fed top