Abstract
This paper discusses the historical circumstances the dairy industry in Taiwan and its context in the
foundation of today's modern Taiwan．
Traditionally Taiwan's aboriginal people had bred buffalo and yellow cattle as draft animals．
Many difficult problems around breeding, such as the rinderpest and superstition, have been resolved．
The development of a milk drinking custom depended on a revolutionary and successful breeding program for
dairy cattle that adapted to the local climate．
The target for the breeding program, therefore, became dairy cattle from bovine draft animals．
The sale of milk started in 1895 and the regulative rules for milk were issued at the same time．
The cattle breeding program was supported and reinforced by the concept of public health and by the
improvement in feed management technology．
Milk consumption increased gradually with the spread of knowledge and awareness of the nutritional value of
milk and an understanding of milk hygiene．
As a result，the drinking of milk became an established custom in Taiwan．
