CARE OF THE COW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 180, 1 August 1931, Page 20 (Supplement)

CARE OF THE COW

ATTENTION IN THE WINTER Practical dairy farmers agree that the dairy cow requires a rest from six to eight weeks between lactations. She will then produce more milk annually than if milked continuously. To avoid injury to the udder, she should be dried off gradually; some cows are easier to dry than others, and therefore it is impossible to apply the same treatment to all, says the Livestock Journal. Many dairymen turn their dry cows on poor country, where they' are practically starved. This is one of the greatest mistakes that can be made, as a cow must be properly nourished when being rested. She should be gaining as calving time approaches, both for health ami profit, and the two are more closely related than is generally realised. Mr D. C. Harker, owner of the Thirlniere Ayrshire herd at Caldernieade ■V.), is a strong advocate of feeding dry cows well. ‘‘lt is uneconomical to allow a cow to get low in condition when she is dry,” he remarked; “she should be well taken care of during that period, for she is then preparing for her next lactation besides growing the calf.” He frequently inspects his dry cows, which arc kept in a field away from his farm, and if he notices that any of them are not doing well, they are taken home and hand fed. When a cow is in good condition at calving she gets to her work straight away, and a full and continuous flow of milk is assured. The calf from such a cow is invariably healthy. >