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Taiwan’s “Super Milk Cow” surpasses 14,000 kilograms production
The Council of Agriculture (COA) says that for years it has been working for the DHI (dairy herd improvement) project that seeks to improve the quantity and quality of milk produced by local cows. Based on COA investigation on the amount of milk produced for 2005, the milk cow that produces the greatest amount of milk was bred by Liu Chang-Jen in Taoyuan. That milk cow, produces annually 14,606 kilograms of milk and was the first locally bred cow capable of producing more than 14,000 kilograms of milk. It could be given the title “Super Milk Cow.” The rest of the top 100 “super cows” produce as much as 11,608 kilograms of milk.
The COA says that the average annual production of milk per cow in 1991 was 5,400 kilograms. In 2005, the amount of milk production has grown tremendously. And the percentage of milk cows and the amount of milk they annually produce is: 0.01% (of cows) produce 14,000 kilograms; 0.53% produce 14,000 to 12,000 kilograms; 8.09%, 12,000 to 10,000 kilograms; 19.75%, 10,000 to 9,000 kilograms; and 71.62% under 9,000 kilograms. In 2004, the respective percentages were 0%, 0.29%, 5.4%, 16.23%, and 78.08%. These figures show that there has been continuous improvement in the amount of milk produced by cows. Moreover, thanks to the joint effort of milk farmers and milk factories, the milkprotein and milk fat content of local milk are as good as those in developed countries.
The COA stresses that locally produced milk is rich in nutriments and is one of the best sources of protein and calcium for the people of Taiwan. Besides, the production of local milk, from raw materials, manufacturing process and sales, are strictly controlled. Such milk products are not just fresh and tasty but meat world standards. The COA hopes that the people of Taiwan drink more milk for health reasons and as a way to support Taiwan’s dairy industry and the farmers who work so hard year after year.
