Seasonal Variations in Milk and Fat Production

Abstract

Summary Data was presented showing that the average monthly decrease in milk production for all breeds is very uniform, the production during the twelfth month being approximately 50 per cent of the production during the best month. The principal variations in milk production, aside from that due to the advance of lactation, were found to be largely due to the changes in pasture during the spring and summer months. The fundamental reason for the variation in milk is probably one of nutrition. This in turn being affected to some extent by atmospheric temperature. Cows on test being well fed are probably less affected, either favorably or unfavorably, by pasture than those not being pushed for maximum production. From the standpoint of total milk production, cows calving in the fall and winter months equal or exceed the average production while those calving during the summer months are generally below the average.