Profitable Age

Profitable Age.

Many dairymen and others who milk cows for profit believe that when a cow reaches the age of seven or eight her useful days are over, and that she should be replaced by one younger. But, other things being equal, this is a mistake. A cow that has been well cared for, with generous rations and proper attention given to her comfort, through all seasons of the year, is better and will make a more profitable return at eight years old than at an earlier age; in other words, she is in her prime, and she will continue in this condition several years, and will not be considered an old cow until fourteen or fifteen years have passed. Cows with first calves--at two or three years--are generally unprofitable in their milk yield, and one really good cow between seven and eight years old will pay a better revenue than two that are performing their first year's duties in the dairy herd, and she will probably consume but little more food than one of the younger ones. This fact is worthy the consideration of those who are dairying for profit.