THE FAT-PROTEIN RATIO IN THE MILK OF CATT LE HERDS IN WHICH DISPLACEMENT OF THE ABOMASUM OCCURS

The fat:protein ratio of the milk was calculated for 27 herds in Hessi a breeding German Black Pied Cattle, in which displacement of the abom asum occurred (case herds) and in 27 similar herds, in which displacem ent of the abomasum did not occur (control herds). This was measured f or the year preceding the displacements as well as for the month in wh ich displacement occurred. Control herds were selected which had the s ame number of lactating cattle and the same milk yield (Ibs). In herds where displacement of the abomasum occurred the fat:protein ratio of the milk in the year before the displacement was signifikantly higher than in herds free of displacement, and also tended to be higher in th e month before. This implies that herds in which displacement occurred received less energy-rich carbohydrates than herds in which displacem ent was not seen.