FARM NOTES.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 790, 5 December 1922, Page 8

FARM NOTES.

WHAT IS MOST DESIRABLE TIME TO FRESHEN, We lyi*e just received a pamphlet from tire United. States Depa* of Agriculture that adds some further evidence as to the most desirable alme to have cows (freshen. We ali know the ,argument for fall freshening. Cows that freshen in the fall will receive more attention when a,t full flow than is possible during the summer months ofl <rush and hurry- Winter rations are apt to be better balanced than the variable summer pasture, jThe winter cow takes a fresh start on spring gqass whereas the summer cow receives a setback when stabled. The pamphlet in question irecords the results of extensive investigations to determine whether this fine theory works out so nicely in practice. The records of 64 cow testing associations are compiled and the results are somewhat as ifoiijows :—Of the cws, 6646 -.freshened in fall and Wintea’, 4524 in the spring and summer. The following table tabulates their production : Milk Fat Cost of Income Produc- Produc- over cost Season tion tion Feed of Feed Spring 5842 236 56.73 70.73 Summer 5941 236 6)9.10 66.73 Fall 6689 268 67,39 76.65 Winter 6439 258 63.16 75.66 From these figures it will' be seen that the cows that freshened in the spring produced the least milk and those tnat freshened in the summer produced the least income oyer cost Qf feed. In certain localities it was found that extra good pastures made summer dairying most desirable, but these cases were the exception. As a general conclusion, the investigators advise that,' where a good market is available, it 4s best to produce a uniform quantity of milk the year round. It is our observation, however, that the great majority of dairymen will insist on producing the gireat bulk of their milk in the spring and summer and there is little danger of over-doing; the more profitable winter market.