THE FARM.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 February 1914, Page 4

THE FARM.

EOOTS FOR MILCH COWS

The feeding value of roots for milch cows is often the subject of varying opinions. Sweden is noted for its dairying on the principles adopted in Holland and the Netherlands, where daiiying is brought to such a pitch of perfection. Mr. F. Bagge, Commissioner to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, says: —"Boots take a very prominent part in the feeding of cattle in Sweden, and maoy investigations have been rrade into their value for this purpose. Extensive experiments were carried out during the winter to ascertain if the yield of milk would be affected by feeding roots containing varying percentages of dry matter The total quantity of dry matter in the roots given to the cows was the same throughout. The experiment? duringtwo years were carried out with 120 cows, divided into twenty groups. Of these groups eleven received beetroots, four swedes, three turnips, and two carrots. In connection with the tests a great number of analyses of the roots were made in order to ascertain the composition of the dry matter in the roots. The general conclusion arrived at from these tests are as follows :— (1) Apart from the varying percentage of sugar in the roots, the dry matter in the dfferent kinds of roots has shown upon the whole the same composition. (2) The quantity of digestible aibumen in turnips, beet and swedes seems, according to the analyses, to be between 0.4 and 0.5 per cent.^,^^J^j_dif^£X6JQflfl_v£fls found in tion must be that which is found to give in this respect the biggest crop. It must also fulfil requiremeuts as to keeping qualities, and also as regards harvesting." Roots may be safely given to dairy cows, mixed with other foods, such as chopped oaten orgrasshay, and a little crushed oats or bran, or with oil cake, if fed to them immediately after milking only, without any danger of producing a taint in the milk or cream. The sani6 thing applies to rape, cab~ bffge, kohl rabi, and kale. Such food should never be given immediately or even liours before milking.