FEEDING CATTLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1217, 28 August 1911, Page 8

FEEDING CATTLE.

TIIE SOURCES OF LOSS. The sources of loss iiy tho feeding of dairy cattle are many, and Mr. Thos. Milburn, in the Journal of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society, states that lie feels convinced that considerable loss is due to improper feeding. Xu an article dealing with unprofitable cows, tho lack of knowledge in the proper uses of feeding stuiTs, over and under feeding, and improper treatment of cows, Mr. Milburn says there is probably nothing to equal gvxl nutritious grass as food for milk production, and next in turn among bulky foc;!s good meadow hay. The former "contains all the nutritive material for the manufacture of milk and tho upkeep of the cow, while the latter, if well made, has ,lost little of the constituents in tho grass except water. Of roots, Jlr. Jlilburn is convinced that there .is nothing to equal carrots, especially where butter is made. Mangels are, ou the whole, better than, swedes, which are likely to taint the milk. Potatoes give' excellent results, _ cither raw or boiled. •Excessive quantities of roots, however, tend to raise the cost of production, but, adds Mr. Milburn, wet grains increase tho flow of, milk, yet to a less extent than is generally supposed. If these aro used in excess they weaken the system of the cow, and the continued feeding of exccssivo amounts of watery foods is likely to rosult in watery milk. This is probably due to a weakening of tho activity of the calls of tho udder. Discretion ami regularity aro points to bo ever remembered in feeding. Tho milch cow is a creature of circnmshtnccs. Treat heir well, (m<J she will repay fourfold, Illtreat her, and sho will starve you.