WORLD’S CHAMPION COW.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 256, 4 October 1928, Page 8

WORLD’S CHAMPION COW.

HUNGARIAN CLAIM. 1691 Pounds of Fat in 365 Days. The July number of Hansen’s Dairy Bulletin gives some striking particulars of what is claimed to be the highest butterfat-yielding cow in the world. This is Augusta 26, a Hungarian Simmenthaler cow, which is described as a cross between a local Hungarian red-chequered race and Simmenthaler cattle, largely bred because of their high yielding power.

Augudta 26 was born in 1915, and her record period of lactation falls between May 3, 1923, and May 1, 1924, during a 365-day period in which she produced 28,006 pounds of milk with an average fat percentage of 6.04. This yet unattained height of fat production, which took place during the fifth lactation period, corresponds with 1691 pounds of butterfat, or approximately 1917.5 pounds of butter. Thus Augusta 26 has established a world’s record with regard to fat production never yet reached. Her average per day was 76.72 pounds of milk with 6.04 per cent, of fat. In consequence this wonder cow 1 has produced 23 times her own weight in milk, 1.39 times in milk fat and 1.51 times in butter within a period of 12 months. Originally the cow was kept in an old-fashioned stable, but she was transferred to a modern stall in February, 1924 ; this change, however, made no difference iri her high yielding capacity. Nor could anything be said on the cow’s general condition of health during her lucrative lactation period. The temperatures of her body were continuously controlled and it was thereby established that the extraordinary high milk flow was not brought about by organic disarrangements or otherwise. The milk hygienic laboratory attached to the Veterinary High School has proved that the fat globules of the milk were of quite normal size. The dates of milk production were officially controlled and tested by competent representatives of the Stuhlweissenburger Milk Control Association, also by representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Chemical Institute of the State, as well as by the Veterinary High School mentioned above.

* It. was one of the objects of the investigations to find out why the yielding capacity of Augusta 26 increased at such an abnormal rate within the comparatively short period of one month, within which time the fat percentage increased from 4.5, even in one case to 12. Her high production of fat took its Beginning when the green feeding ceased and from September throughout the winter months she was kept on stall. It is to be regretted that no reliable records of fodder were kept. A real basis for estimating this is therefore wanting. The animal, however, received ample supplies of white clover, bran of maize, barley, vetches and oats, molasses, sunflower cakes, dried pieces of beets and hay of Luzern of the best quality. No doubt Augusta 2G attained her high fat production thanks to' the ample quantities of feed she received, and as she always enjoyed a good appetite she would at any rate have the advantage thereof. This record eclipses that claimed in an Auckland paper on Saturday that the highest yield of milk yet recorded by a cow of any breed over a 12-months’ test is that of 3738 gallons by the American Friesian, Segis Pietertje Prospect, the butterfat from which is recorded at 1158 pounds. Ten high records have been made in butterfat, ranging up to 1394 pounds from 3346 gallons of milk ; but this latter is only fourth on the list in gallon yield. One American Friesian cow, Weitske Dairy Maid, has made four milk records of over 3150 gallons each in 365 days, and her lowest butterfat return for 12 months was 1005 pounds, while her best was 1136 pounds.