PROFIT IN STRIPPING

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 293, 20 June 1929, Page 6

PROFIT IN STRIPPING

AMERICAN EXPERIMENTS. Correct stripping of the udder lias considerable influence on the quality of the milk. Considerable difference is found in tne fat content of the milk first drawn from the udder and subsequent portions. In an American experiment it was found that when the milk from a cow which produced 17.71 b. of milk was drawn in four separate portious and the butterfat test of each part determined the results were as follows: First part 3.21 b., test 8 per cent.; second art weighed 4.11 b., test 2.6 per cent.; third part weighed 4.61 b., test 5.4 per cent.; and the last, which weighed 5.81 b., showed a test of 9.8 per cent, butterfat. As commonly taken, the fourth poris more than would be classed as strippings. It is evident, therefore, that the last 1 or 21b. of milk drawn from the cow’s udder must be high in butterfat. Leaving this in the udder has a very detrimental effect on the , test of the milk. It is no wonder that change in milkers or failure to strip the cows after the milking machine may cause a variation of several points in the tost of the milk. A herd may be fed a liberal supply of a well balanced ration, but if the milk which is secreted by the cells of the udder is not completely removed the largest returns from he feed will not be secured; neither will the udder continue to function at its maximum efficient . Care and thoroughness . should always be practised during milking. Many a good cow has been permanently injured through improper milking. The' udder is a very lelicatc structure. When it has been impaired through improper care the producing ability of the cow has been lessened and with it the profit she is capable of returning. Development of Heifer. As a heifer near the time of calving, the udder develops and often becomes very highly inflamed and

swollen, the swelling frequently extending half way along the belly in front of the udder. Farmers who have not much experience are frequently alarmed at this. However, there is no necessity for concern, as it is a natural condition.

After the heifer has calved, she should have the udder thoroughly but gently rubbed at each milking, using camphorated oil or a lubricant. The rubbing increases the circulation and so relieves the congestion. Older animals are not troubled in the same way. When a cow calves normally and at full time, she rarely has any trouble cleaning as the placenta (afterbirth) comes away naturally within an hour or two after the birth of the calf. Sometimes this is not the case, however, especially in the case of abortion, when 4oz. to loz. of liquid extract of ergot may be given in warm gruel. As previously mentioned, during the period of pregnancy the animal should be well nourished to enable her to develop the foetus properly and to prepare her for the coming lactation. It is found that unless a cow is in good 1 condition when she calves she will not do so well as she should. If she is in very poor condition her test will be lower than it should be; and she will not give the quantity of milk she is capable of yielding until she is in noimal condition.