THE VALUE OF MILK CONTESTS.

VALUE TO THE PRODUCER.

Milk contests are of value to the producer in that they point out to him very clearly the exact condition of his product. This includes, first, the flavor of the milk. Clean milk from a clean cow has but little flavor or odor. If it is fairly well supplied with fat, pure milk may be described as having a rich, sweet, clean, pleasant flavor and odor, and free from foreign taints. Too frequently, however, the ordinary market milk delivered in our cities tastes of the cow stable, or the feed, and has too much acidity from the presence of millions of bacteria. In addition to flavor, milk is tested for chemical qualities, including fat and total solids. It is also carefully tested for bacteria. If produced under clean conditions and promptly cooled, these should not exceed 100,000 to the cubic centimeter. Where extreme care is used, as in the production of certified milk, the number may be kept below 1,000. Other points considered are the acidity of the milk, the appearance of the package (including metal parts, etc.), and foreign matter. Too often dirt of various kinds is found in the bottom of the bottle, indicating not only dirty conditions during milking, but poor handling, especially as regards straining.

Defects of the product having thus been pointed out, the dairyman will know what is lacking in his product and what he needs to do in order to make it perfect. If the dairyman enters the dairy-farm contest his place is carefully scored and given a definite rating. Ideal conditions are pointed out and he is shown what needs to be done and how it can be done without great expense.

But the question naturally arises: If the dairyman produces a perfect product, can he secure any more money for it? Up to the present time there has been but little incentive to the production of high-class milk, with possibly the exception of certified milk. Clean and dirty milk have sold for the same price and in direct competition with each other. This is not right. With other commodities the grade determines the price. It should be so with milk.

There are indications, however, that the dairyman who produces clean milk will in the future receive a premium for his product, and the careful inspection of the dairy farm and the milk produced is going to help bring this about. Already an advanced price is being offered by the milk dealers in Cleveland for milk from high-scoring dairies. This certainly is encouraging to the dairyman who is trying to produce a clean product. Every farm should be inspected, and such inspection should be welcomed by every intelligent dairyman. A score such as was given in this contest, stating certain conditions found in the dairies to be satisfactory, will have a tendency to increase the sales and inspire confidence. It will be for the dairyman’s interest in the future to produce clean milk, and he should be rewarded for his efforts. Producers should hold together in this matter. Public sentiment is with the movement for a better milk supply, and the prices of feedstuffs and labor being high, the producers have every reason to demand a fair price for a good product. But they should see to it that their product is clean and that it deserves the price demanded. It is not for the producer’s interests to allow the consumer to get the idea that this most valuable food product, milk, is produced and handled under dirty conditions.

VALUE TO THE DEALER.

Milk contests are of value to the dealer in assisting him to determine where the good dairies are, hence making it easier for him to find a supply of milk to meet the demands made upon him for a good product. With a supply of good milk to handle, there is less trouble with sour milk and less complaint from consumers.

VALUE TO THE CONSUMER.

The principal value of these contests to the consumer is in pointing out the defects in milk and showing him what good milk really is. Clean milk certainly ought to command a premium over dirty milk. With the average consumer, however, milk is looked upon as a necessity to be bought as cheaply as possible. If he is asked to pay a higher price, he immediately characterizes it as robbery. He gives little thought to the fact that the price of grain has been increasing during the past ten years and that wages for farm labor are not only higher but the labor is difficult to obtain. The consumer should know that it costs more to produce clean milk and that it means extra labor and extra care, and the dairyman can not be expected to produce it without a reasonable profit.