FODDER AND PROTEIN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 435, 31 January 1912, Page 6

FODDER AND PROTEIN.

At the top of the list is lucerne, taking precedence in protein contents even of bran. One important consideration, however, has to be noted. Thia pre-excellence of quality is dependent solely upon the lucerne being allowed to mature (without becoming dead ripe),arid being used for feeding at that stage of cutting, or otherwise harvested as hay. The protein contents of grazed lucerne are very small. The grazing of lucerne so as to keep it continually fed down is a grave mistake. Then comes maize fodder. No fodder is more easily grown or contains a large amount of digestible nutrients per acre than maize, which when produced under the most favourable conditions on well tilled land comprises from 8 to 10 per cent, of protein. A difference of from 3 to 4 per cent, of this valuable element is found in favour of well tilled and manured land over that grown upon similar but badly worked land unmanured.

Peas, which are highly nitrogenous, give their best results in sheep and pig fattening. For pigs peas increase the proportion of lean meat, and generally improve the quality and firmness of the bacon. When pigs are turned into a paddock of peas they have the advantage of securing a required mixture of other fodder, and therefore do not have against them the highly albuminous character of this food, as, in addition, they obtain a proportion of stubble and weeds, together with the necessary exercise. When peas are fed in the trough they need to be mixed with some crushed barley, crushed wheat or maize meal.

Rape registers a good average percentage of protein, and the hauls from peas after threshing are exceptionally rich, as also are clover, vetches and soya beans, while well saved good, sound meadow hay has been known to reach as high as 11 per cent, protein, although the ordinary average is only from sto 6 per cent. By meadow hay is meant one of the paddocks that are laid down in cultivated grasses, being shut off from grazing early in the spring and allowed to mature so as to be cut for hay. In feeding three is, of course, a great saving in the grain and mill products where the fodders high in protein are used.