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Show RAPID DECLINE IN MILK PRODUCTION The rapid decline in milk produr-tlon produr-tlon as the summer advances Is ir result of a combination of factors, a B. Bender, assistant dairy husbandman hus-bandman at the New Jersey College of Agriculture, New Brunswick. Chief among these Is the poor condition of pasture. In many regions a drought in midsummer mid-summer causes tough and woody pasture. pas-ture. The result is that the cow, especially es-pecially if producing a liberal amount of milk, doesn't get sufficient food and loses flesh by trying to keep up production. pro-duction. Finally the production declines, de-clines, slowly nt first and then more rapidly as conditions become extreme. Records from creameries show that for 100 pounds of milk delivered June 1 there nre only 40 pounds delivered August 1. Flies may be a slight factor, but their Importance Is overestimated. The flies and the hot weather are factors In so far ns they both discourage dis-courage the animals from grazing. If kept on pasture the cows should be turned out to graze during the early morning and late evening. The growing of soiling crops may be a good practice. Grain is an effective means of holding up production, but It Is an expensive practice to the extent ex-tent that the grain replaces grass. Silage Is not a complete ration, but it may be used alone to supplement pastures. If conditions are such that most of the feed has to be supplied outside of pastures, then the feeding should be practically the same as In winter. If the production of the herd drops to a marked degree during the summer sum-mer It cannot be brought back to the point where It should be. Therefore, to insure a paying fall production, It is highly Important to keep up the milk flow during the summer, even though there may be no immediate profit |