THE MAN ON THE LAND.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4452, 11 August 1922, Page 4

THE MAN ON THE LAND.

CAN THE TEST OF MILK BE CHANGED ?

Says “Harvester” in the Otago Daily Times: Two dairy farmers were discussing the general low test of .nilk as indicated from the returns of the local milk shipping p’ant. Only one farmer of the district could claim nrhat would be considered a fairly high test fpr tlie milk Qf his herd. “But John is a rare heavy feeder,” said one of his neighbours. “Yes, that explains it,” replied Jiis friend. These two men were merely voicing an idea that is very generally entertained —that the test of milk can be influenced by the feeding. Fifty per cent, of dairy farmers, and perhaps more, fully believe that if they increase the grain rations of the cows or substitute rich concentrations for ground grain they will get a higher testing rriilk. All experimental evidence, however, goes to show that there is no system of feeding that will influence the percentage of fat in milk for any considerable time, fn Denmark the milk tests of thousands of cows were considered to determine whether changes in feed were accompanied by changes ip butter-fat tests, and the results were negative. The richness of milk is an hereditary qualify, and the only way in which to Increase the test is by breeding from high testing strains. It is true, however, that sudden changes in temperature will alter the test temporarily. For instance, it is now well known that breeders who have been successful in making high seven.-day tests with their registered cows have followed the practice Of feeding very heavily up to the day the test started and then suddenly cutting the ration in two, or even more. Such a radical change seems to disoragnise the system of the cow, and the nervous, fevered condition that results puts up the test to the extent that more than somp-jiisates for the reduction in pounds, of milk produced. Where records are made in this manner, however, the cow is seldom carried on even for fourteen days. Similar changes in tests are induced by accidents, it. being, commonly believed, for instance, that a grand chamipon cow at one of oun winter fair tests owed her honours to the fact that she knocked her horn off when coming out o' the car. Her milk tested abnormally high. Contrary opinion notwithstanding, we can lay it down as a rule that the only way to increase the test of milk is by breeding—not feeding.