DANISH DAIRY COW

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1927, Page 1

DANISH DAIRY COW

AVFRAUD YIELD

W MILLINGTON. Jan. 20. Regarding the yield of the average dairy cow in Denmark a statement made to a reprcsentivtiv'c of the “Lyttelton Times” by the Minister of Agriculture is interesting.

“The success which has attended the diversion from grain growing to dairy-

ing in Denmark during the last quarter of last century has reflected a great deal of credit on the Danish people.” said the Minister. “Visitors to Denmark have been enthusiastic in their reports on the ingenuity, industry, and foresight-eel ness .of the Danes in developing their dairy Interests to such a degree of excellence on economic lines. Amongst reports appearing from time to time in the Press on Denmark the yield of the average Danish cow receives repented attention. The yield credited to the average cow is usually exaggerated and varies all the way from around 2501 b. to 4101 b. of butter fat, and is most frequently quoted at from 3001 b. to ,15011). of butter fat. Just- how far those figures are misleading will lie seen by reference to the following figures for 1925. For comparative purposes the 1924 figures are given in parenthesis : Total cows in milk in country. 1.390.001) (1,.109.000). Number of dairies reporting statistics, 850 (801). Number of suppliers represented per factory, 141 (142). Number of cows represented per factory. 937 (911). Number of cows per supplier. 0.0 (0.4). Total suppliers represented, 130,696 (122.262). Total cows represented. 802.072 (784,371). Percentage of total milk, represented in statistics. 58 per cent. (57 per cent). Average lb. of milk per cow for factories reporting 6274 (0279). Lb. milk per lb. of butter, 24.7 (24.7). Average butter yield (lb.) 254.01 (257.32). Average butter fat yield (lb). 218.45 (221.30). Percentage of Denmark’s total milk cows represented 53 per cent. (57 per’ ce.n t).

“New Zealand factories,” added the Minister, “tell that their suppliers averaged 22011). per cow. The weak spot in New Zealand dairying is undoubtedly in regard to the feeding of ■cows in winter. A. cow that loses 1001 b. of her body weight will put much less into the pail the following season.”