INDIVIDUALITY IN COWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLI, Issue 5634, 24 April 1909, Page 4

INDIVIDUALITY IN COWS.

"We speak of cows as cows, or tthe cow, as one of the herd. We. class her as one of a multitude, and lose sight of her individuality. The cow is not different from people. In fact, every animal, aside . from having a species, has a personality.

Dairysmen are beginning to recognise this in cow feeding, says " KjLtriball's Dairy Farmer. The ignorant or careless man feeds all just alike. The man with scales and Babcock test soon recognises the individuality of each cow as a producer. The'carefiU observer sees it as the habits of the cow.

There are cows having the sajme dam and sire (full sisters) that arc as different in habits, milk production and physical characteristics as is often seen in a family of children.

If this were not so the foreede'r would have clear sailing. Pedigrees tell what a cow has back of her blood but they don't tell what peculiar individual character is tics, may crop up.

When I read or hear of dairymen who are going to have a herd of -350pound cows and will have them, fresh sure thing, I can't nelp but smite, for i've been there. I've found that individual characteristics crop out into the thiixl and four generation.

Then, too, the cow a;ets moods just like folks. Sh,e sulks, she gets foiniiv. she acts mean,, she plays tricks, she acts tho bully, she gets laxv, or, perchance, she can run like a deer at the wrong time. One cow will run froan a dog and another give him a gsootl run out of the pasiture. One likeg" to stand on top of the manure rjile ; anther prefers a certain spot elsewhere. Some are quick to learn, others are blockheads. - The same is true of ail animals. The man who disregards individuality is up against a stubborn thing.— 'Pacific Dairy Keview.