MANAGING THE DAIRY HERD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 512, 26 October 1912, Page 6

MANAGING THE DAIRY HERD.

MILKING A NEWLY-CALVED COW. As regards the proper method of milking a fresh cow. the dairy department of the Oregon Agricultural College, in response to some queries on the matter, made the following statement as to the treatment of a cow after calving: "Milking is generally considered such a simple operation that any common labourer is supposed to he able to milk," says Mr Stockwell. "There is, however, an immense difference in milkers. One milker may be able to get 20 per cent, more milk than another. The milker should not be allowed to excite or worry the cow by loud talking or abuse of any kind. A cow should-be milked quietly and quickly. As she is largely a creature of habit, special care should be taken to get all the stripings. The first milk drawn may contain as little as 1 per cent, of fat, while ihe last runs from 6 to 10 per cent.

In milking the whole hand should be used, closing first that part next to the udder. Then the milk is forced past the sphincter muscle by closing the remainder of the hand. The cow's teats should always be dry when milked. Wetting the teats is not only a dirty, filthy habit, but it also allows the teats to chap and become sore in bad weather. If there is difficulty in milking a cow dry, a small amount of vaseline may be rjbbed on the hands; it is beneficial rather than harmful, both in a sanitary way and in its effects on the teats.

The future of many a promising dairy cow has been ruined by improper milking soon after calving. The dairy cow haß been abnormally developed to produce large quantities of milk; consequently certain of her organs, such as the mammary glands, have become greatly enlarged and weakened just before and after parturition, due probably to the secreting of large quantities of milk. The art, or science, whichever we may call it, of milking can only be attained by those who are willing to make a study of each individual cow, of her disposition, dairy temperament and physical condition. First, as to the care of the cow previous to parturition; she should not receive much grain, but just enough bran mash to keep her slightly laxative. No succulent feed should be fed, as it stimulates milk secretion. After calving, the calf should be allowed to take the first milk, and when it has had all it will take, finish the milking with the calf still near. If the udder is hard and caked, a good massaging with the palm of the hand, with or without lard, or better, with amphorc.ated ointment, will restore almost any congested condition. The breaking up of thß udder may be greatly hastened by the sucking of a hungry calf, because of the kneading it gives the udder with its nose. The most important things to. keep in mind are: —• First, do not feed succulent foods previous to parturtion or for a few days afterwards; second, milk the cow three times daily after the calf has taken the first milk; third, if the udder is in a congested condition, massage it and allow the calf to suck frequently the first day."