DAIRYING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3842, 4 December 1936, Page 10

DAIRYING NOTES

A drain is essential in the cowshed immediatley at the rear of the cows, and it must be carried for a distance of at least 30 feet beyond the shed; a fall similar to that in the shed will suffice (that is, about 1 in 50). Sometimes a common draining system for both shed and yards can be installed, but on no account should the cows have access to, or pass through the drainage when entering or leaving the yard or c.hed. Sufficient consideration is not always given to .the site of the yard; this is particularly so in hill country, livery effort should be made to have the yard, or yards, on the lower side of the shed; the drainage must never pass the dairy end of the building. If the yard is not naturally high enough it should be raised to ensure a free getaway of the drainage. The type of feed box used in the milking shed should be such as will prevent the cows tossing feed over the sides; fodder strewn and dusty floors are both unsightly and insanitary. A sheet of plain iron nailed lengthwise on the lower wall portion improves the appearance and helps to keep the bails clean. Greenhide leg ropes have much to commend them; they are cheap and strong, and further, do not absorb urine and manure as freely as does fibre rope. They should be affixed low down on the rear post, but clear of the floor, to control a cow likely to kick. Provision should be made for running water for washing the milkers’ hands; the same supply can be used for washing the cows’ udders. A drum ample size, with tap attached, will be found satisfactory. Dirty hands means dirty milk, for milk can never be cleaner than the hands that draw it.