DEVELOPING THE MILKER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7263, 20 October 1910, Page 2

DEVELOPING THE MILKER

SOU> T p ADyiCE. Heredity undoubtedly plays an important parkin determining tiie liability of a cow to give milk over a Tong lac tation period, it is, however, considered by some good judges and experienced dairymen tnat heifers on their first calf should bo milked for' the full lactation pericd expected from a matured, cow; My own experience (says “Moira” in the Sydney “Mail”) leads me to that belief also. It, is certain that the prolonged milking' habit has been brought about by man's treatment of the cows. Therefore, it is reasonable to suppose that it will always be an easy matter .to induce cows to revert to the natural tendencies of , her, perhaps, remote ancestors. So if a heifer is only milked for four or six months, during her first lactation period, she, willl be more dvkelj; to go oft in heryield about the same time during her. next milking season than if glie had been, kept longer in the hails the first time.* The-heifer that is expected to develop into a profitable dairy cow should bo milked for the full lactation period desired. She should, of course, bo liberally fed on good, nourishing, milk-produe-ing foods. This is necessary, so that her vital energy may be kept up and her , milk-producing qualities fully, developed. . If this is not done, the owner should not be surprised if the heifer does not mature into l a profitable dairy cow. There may, of course, be exceptions tiiat seem to disprove this theory; { still,- there is• much, evidence in favour‘of it." It is only by taking info consideration ©very factor that points or lends towards a definite object that success can be achieved. ;