INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON MILK YIELDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 419, 2 December 1911, Page 7

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON MILK YIELDS.

In his report to the Highland and Agricultural Society on the results for the production of mi''k in winter from cows kept under free and restricted ventilation, Mr John Speir, Newton, says the following are the conclusions which it would seem reasonable to draw from the trials at this stage :

That fresh air is a much more important factor in the production of milk in midwinter than it is generally considered to be by the milk producers iri this country. Whiie most people agree to the need of fresh air in summer in regard to the health of the animals, it seems almost as desirable in midwinter if a full supply of good svholesome milk is to be produced.

While the effect of a high or low temperature is probably felt by animals almost instantaneously, and very likely produces its results at once, we have little information indicating how long a cow may breathe a vittiated atmosphere before that effect shows itself on the animals or their production of milk. At Newton the influence seemed to show itself between the fourth and fifth week after the experiment began. The great causes of variation in the fat in milk are:—l. Irregularity in the hours of milking. 2. The individuality in of the cows. 3. Want of perfection in milking.

And saving in food which is effected ; by keeping the animals at a higher temperature is equalled, if not ex- | ceeded, by improved digestion when ] they have plenty ol fresh air but a j lower temperature. ' There is reason for believing that I those great scourges .of the dairyman, mammitis or weeds and tuberculosis, i may be reduced to a minimum if cows i are kept in freely ventilated byres in j winter. j