Show Kin Kindergarten For Cows Yes Says Agent Do cows need kindergarten training Dennis Funk Sanpete Sanpete Sanpete San San- pete county agent with Utah State University Extension S Services s says they do Here is how he explains it The liThe last four weeks before expected freshening are re the kindergarten periods for dairy heifers Th That's ts t's the Uie time to get them used sed to feeds and routine routine rou rou- tine used for the milking string Heifers cannot be be expected to do a satisfactory job 1 if they are not accustomed to things before freshening It may take three or four weeks for the rumen micros organisms to adjust to the feeding program for milk cows A similar period period period pe pe- may be needed for the heifer to become accustomed to the feeding schedule milking milking milk milk- ing routine her stall and other other oth oUi- er new surroundings She must also find her place in inthe inthe inthe the social order of the herd If training is not begun before before be be- fore calving time all these changes can result in undue stress Too much stress may adversely affect health and milk production This usually can be avoided by introducing the heifer to the milking l string about four weeks before re expected freshening Take time to handle her herand herand herand and overcome her fear of milking milking milk milk- ing equipment After calving make certain the milk nr nosh mach machines ch ines are oper operating and stay close by the heifer while the is on her This may prevent an Ian unfortunate unfortunate incident which she may associate with the milking act Above all be patient with he heifers ers in training them to milk the county agent said |