CARE OF THE COW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1938, Page 3

CARE OF THE COW

FREQUENT GROOMING URGED. MILK PURITY ENSURED. Some preparation of the cow before commencing to milk is necessary in wet weather to remove the mud and dung splashed on the udder and teats, and under summer or drought conditions, the dried dust, which is equally dangerous to milk quality. The flanks and tail should be kept free from caked mud and dung by the occasional use of a curry comb, and the dust removed as often as necessary by grooming with a stiff brush dipped in clean water. Grooming of dairy cattle is a refinement usually kept on high-priced farms, where natural scratching or rubbing-posts—trees or stumps —have been removed. Frequent milking and stall feeding prevent, during much of the day. the natural function of selflicking. Both these small inhibitions have a marked effect on milk production, and it has been observed that, under these conditions, some grooming is decidedly beneficial. It is a common practice on model farms to keep the hair on the flanks as well as the udder clipped short to avoid the collection of dust and dirt. Occasional clipping and regular grooming will make the daily routine of keeping the udder clean a very simple task. It is only when cows Jiave been neglected that the washing of udder and flanks takes any great length of time.

The udder and teats should be washed before each milking. This is best done with a cloth (preferably of the woven type) kept for the purpose, and a bucket of clean water, using a separate cloth, with a second lot of clean water if necessary, for finishing off the udder. A small amount of potassium permanganate (Condy’s crystals) or some chlorine compound added to the water is an extra precaution observed by many farmers, which is advisable if there are any cases or sore teats, or where the water used is of doubtful purity. The teats are left damp, but not dripping, so that any remaining dust or loose hairs will adhere to the surface and not fall into the milk. Udder cloths must be washed out and boiled every day, otherwise they become a dangerous source of bacteria and the object of washing the 'udder will be defeated. Both cloths and bucket should not be used for any other purpose. . With practice, this routine preparation of the cow for milking can be very quickly and yet thoroughly carried out. It can be done by a boy, and the time spent—one minute or less a cow —is negligible compared with the reduction in the number of bacteria gaining entrance to the milk and cream from this source. The dairy farmer who rugs his cattle during wintry weather usually reaps the advantage of an undiminished cream return. Many other farmers would like to follow suit, but are deterred by the cost of buying a good warm rug. There is no reason, however, why a farmer so placed should not make his own cow rugs. All that is required are the necessary numbei of corn sacks, a ball of twine, a packing needle and ordinary ingenuity. A warm rug can be made out of two corn bags, but for a big beast three bags might be necessary. Split the bags down the seams, sew them together, and place on the cow. After getting the right fit, cut off a strip of bagging so that the rug will not hang too low. This strip cut off may then be folded and sewn to the rug as a thigh strap. The front of the rug is then fitted by turning up the corners and sewing them to the sides of the rug. This strengthens the rug and obviates the necessity for cutting off the spare portion which the cow would otherwise tread on. Neck and other fastenings may be easily fashioned to make the rug complete. This home-made rug will keep the cow warm and after a few wear will become practically waterproof. The rug can be slipped on and off quite easily, and it is advisable to remove it every day, except in bleak or rainy weather. Each cow’s name may be painted on its own rug. Rugging will certainly increase winter milk production.