DRYING OFF THE COWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19386, 22 July 1926, Page 14

DRYING OFF THE COWS.

Authorities state that a cow will give more milk if she is dried up for a period of six weeks before calving than if she is milked continuously. The oxplantiou of this lies in the fact that milk production is hard work, and the cow gets 110 rest from calving to calving unless it is provided for her by drying her off. The disadvantage of continuous milking without drying off is that when freshening lias occurred the cow will start off on a lower level of production, and will maintain a lower level than would otherwise be the case. Her body does not get a chance to flesh up, and the lack ol a vest does not give her a chance to get, into condition for heavy milking again. The result is that she does the best she can in the circumstances. Under average conditions the cow should be dry at least six weeks, and if she is run down in flesh two months will not be too long. Some cows are much more persistent milkers than others, and are therefore, more difficut to get dry." Ordinarily by milking only once a day for a time and then once every two days the yield can be decreased so that after about two weeks it will decline at about a pound per day and milking may be omitted entirely. For a few days the udder will fill up, but if the milk is not drawn it will be reabsorbed into the system again and no harm will result. TVith more persistent milkers that are yielding more heavily, the amount of food should be "reduced, cutting off all grain or meal, and if necessary feeding nothing but hay until less milk is given. When the "yield gets down to about 101b. daily milkj i»ig may be stopped.