Farm and Garden

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 226, 19 January 1910, Page 3

Farm and Garden

The Wisconsin Experiment Station has conducted some experiments to determine the value of salt for milk cows, and the amount that should be given them. The experiment not only showed the necessity for salt, but also the fallacy of short-time tests in obtaining definite results, as it was over six months, in some cases, before the cow) showed any noticeable effect upon their physical condition. What follows is quoted from a bulletin which gives an account of the experiment :

"In every case the cows exhibited an abnormal appetite for salt after having been deprived of it for two or three weeks, but in no case did the health of the animals, as shown by the general appearance, the live weight, or the yield of milk, appear to be affected until a much longer time had elapsed. In every case there was finally reached a condition of low vitality in which a sudden and complete breakdown occurred from which recovery was rapid if salt was applied. This stage was marked by loss of appetite, a generally haggard appearance, lustreless eyes, a rough coat, and a very rapid decline in both live weight and yield of milk. The breakdown was most likely to occur at calving or immediately after, when the system was weakened and the flow of milk large. In general, the cows giving the largest amount of milk were the first to show signs of distress. They all suffered less in pasture than when confined to the cowhouse. The behaviour of the cows in these trials indicates that their food contained sufficient chlorine to maintain them in good health, while dry, for an indefinite period, and it seems probable that a dry cow or a steer would suffer no great inconvenience if given no salt except that contained in the normal ration. It is calculated that the ration given in these experiments contained chlorine equivalent to about 0.75 of an ounce of salt per day, and it is assumed that this is the minimum amount of salt required per lOOOlbs live weight to sustain an animal that is not producing milk If this amount is not present in the food, it should be supplied directly. In addition to this, the cow should receive enough salt to compensate for the chlorine contained in the milk produced. In general this will require about 0.6 of an ounce of salt per day for each 201bs of milk given. A slight excess will do no harm, and it is recommended that daii-y cows be given at least one oz. of salt per day, while exceptionally heavy milkers require more than this. The uniform results obtained with all cows employed in these trials indicate beyond question that salt, in addition to that obtained in the food is absolutely essential to the continued health of a dairy cow while producing milk. It is evident, moreover, that the amount of salt which must be supplied directly will vary greatly in different localities, it being more at high elevations, and at places remote from the sea. The success of these experiments must be chiefly attributed to the exceptionally long periods during which salt was withheld. In no previous tests, so far as is known, have cows been deprived of salt] for more than thirty consecutive days, which period is shown to be entirely inadequate for a proper test The 23 cows that were deprived of salt in these trials all continued for more than sixty days, and several of them for more than six months, before any noticeable effect upon their physical condition or yield of milk occurred."

Those who are growing plots of this grass in New Zealand will be interested to read what Mr R. H. Gennys, manager of the Glen Innes Experimental Farm, has to say about it in a recent number of the N.S.W."Agricultural Gazette": — "Phalaris coerulescens, more commonly known at present as Phalaris commutata, for it is understood both names apply to the same grass, is undoubtedly one of our very best frostresisters, for it grew continuously, though, of course, slowly, and kept green through last winter, when very severe frosts cut everything, including young turnips, that were growing near it. In no case, during my four years' experience here, have I noticed the leaves of this grass blackened; but I understand this did happen in the Western District during some extra heavy frosts last winter. It may not be as quick a grower as Prairie grass in winter, but it is making fresh shoots all the time. For comparison, I have two plants growing together, the Prairie being self-sown, and the Phalaris planted beside it eighteen months ago. At present the Phalaris has fully eight times the quantity of green fodder in the stool. Nothing was done to these plants, except gather the heads and remove dead stalks, but they were kept clear of weeds, and some slaughterhouse manure was put . around them, 99 the ground was half stones and very poor. The plants . were 16 inches apart when planted, arid now the Phalaris is growing over the Prairie, and will soon kill it, and it already, shows signs of dying out; but in any