FEED FOR DAIRY COWS.
AN INSURANCE AGAINST FAILURE. Ample evidence is forthcoming from every quarter that the pastures are in an exceptionally forward condition. Stock, particularly dairy cows, have como through the winter in much better condition than many owners anticipated would be the case aftor the shortage of feed that was available at the fall of the .foar. Tho dairying season, as represented bv the output from the factories, is fullv two weeks earlier than last year, if would appear from present'conditions that dairymen- should experience a profitable season, but having in mind the lessons of the past-, it is not advisable to rely solely upon, natural pastures for a sustained milk flow from tho cows during tho full period of lactation. The appearance of an abundance of luscious grass in the early spring misleads tho dairyman into'tho error of neglecting to make any provision for -a reserve supply of succulent fodder for his cows for uso when the natural pastiire is past its prime for milk production. A few dry weeks in December or January convert the ordinary grasses into hay, and unless some kind of supplementary food is available in liberal quantities, an^otherwise profitable season'# work will end in comparative disaster. What is known as the soiling system of feeding —that is, growling green crops to be cut and fed to tho cattle, has been found the most economical. There, are many varieties of plants suitable for this purpose which ca.n be grown cheaply and successfully. Discussing this question with a prominent dairyman a few weoks ago,' the writer inquired what tho dairyman considored the best all-round crop to grow. Quoting his own experience, farmer said that maize had given him excellent results, but there was always some 'uncertainty a.bout getting a. good crop in the southern parts of this island. For the last few years he had made -it a practice to put down a considerable area of oats and peas, oats and vetches, or oats alone. Thes" crops should be. sown early, especially if Algerian oats are used_. He preferred a white oat for late sowing. For tho present season he was using oats anil vetches in addition to a small area each of Western Wolths and Italian ryegrass. If tho whole of the oatinixture is not- required for green- feeding purposes, tho remainder will he cut tor hay. The vetches will come, awav rapidly in their sccond growth, and will provide a tasty bite for cattle_ in tho lato autumn: "Apart from the immediato advantages for feeding purposes when 'natural supplies are run.iting short, he nientioTijecl that a acres of artificial crop available for autumn use allow the pastures to get trcll awav before the winter sets in. In his opinion the dairyman who neglects to make provision for a plentiful supply of nutritious fodder for lus cows all the year round does not understand the essentials of' his business. Great improvements, he l said, are expected to follow the systematic culling of cows through the .introduction of -testing. While ho .believed this to he true, lie did not think 'that the full- value of records would be properly appreciated until the owners of cows- learned the way' to feed tho animals so as fto 111duoo the maximum yield of milk. Culling and fowling, ho considered, should go hand, in hand. A fow acres or green food in proportion to the size of the herd was the best insurance against adverse weather conditions, besides providing the means whereby a cow's canting power might bo extended.
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Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 10
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591FEED FOR DAIRY COWS. Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 10
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