PROBLEM OF OLD COWS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6884, 13 April 1929, Page 12

PROBLEM OF OLD COWS

STAMINA AND KIND OP FOOD. The familiar saying: “A cow is a cow according to her teeth/' determines her life of usefulness. When a cow's incisors go. or even wear short, she rapidly falls in value. Only the best class of dairy cows, however, will be kept to this age. Indifferent milkers and unthrifty cows will generally be weeded out of the herd long beiore their teeth show signs of wear. All cows do not age alike. Some cows are past their prime at six years old; others may be said to continue at their best until eight or nine years old. It depends a good deal upon the individual stamina of the cow and the character of the food and land upon which she has been bred and fed. Cows grazed upon poor, stony pastures wear down their teeth faster than on good, rich pastures. Certain kinds of roots are harder on the cow’s teeth than others. Cutting, slicing or jiulpino- the roots saves the teeth to a certafn extent. Soft mashes may not occasion hard wear of the cow’s ivories, but they sometimes affect their. lasting qualities, as also do some kinds of drinking water. Ageing cows may.still bear good, healthy calves, and it is well to keep the really good cows as long as they are profitable.