STRIPPING COWS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 55, 20 March 1937, Page 19

STRIPPING COWS

What is Effect On Milk Yields? CANADIAN RESEARCH "It has been a common belief that lack of proper 'stripping' would cause cows to go dry more rapidly, lower the btttterfat percentage of the milk, and possibly affect the cow," states the Canadian Bureau of Dairy Industry. "A complete laetation test was eonducted by the bureau in which an average of 1.2 pounds of milk was left in the ndder after each milking. Not only were all the Old belief S disproVed, but about half the milk left in the udder was tecovered at the next milking. If all of the 12 pounds - left in the udder had been lost for each of the 480 milkingS during the laetation period, there would have been a differenee of 576 pounds in favonr of the cows 'stripped* eompletely. The test showed, however, only 3061b. more milk from each cow. Thus, th6 scientists concluded that 2701b., or 47 per cent. of the total left in the udder was reeovered. "For every hour spent in stripping, 59lb. was obtained. As a result of the test, states the bureau, the dairy man may conclude for himself whether the extra time required for stripping will pay. If he has plenty of time and is short of milk, then he should get the 'last drop.' But if he is short of help he may omit stripping Without harm to the cow. Ordinarily, enough additional milk will be obtained to pay for the labotlf of stripping. " p With a milk return of 591b. for each houf's stripping, it would eetfainly pay. Assuming the milk to yield 4-J per eent. "fat," this would g'ive 2.71b. worth at least 13d a potind — a return of 3/- an hour. The test is, however, of interest and value as regards the health and milking effeefcs on the cow.