FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1920, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

FEEDING DAIRY COWS. One important fact has resulted from the numerous dairying investigations at the experiment stations—that the requirements of the cows should be studied individually. Even when liberally fed, cows of marked dairy temperament rarely lay on flesh when in full flow of milk, provided their ration is well balanced. Since even 111 well-bred and well-selected herds the different c>Vs vary widely in productive ability, to secure the most profit they must b;> fed as individuals, instead of giving both high and low producers the same ration. From the results of numerous feeding trials which have been conducted, the following feeding formula has been developed. In practice it lias given very satisfactory results:—l. Under normal circumstances the cow should be, fed on all the hay, silage, or roughage that she will eat up clean. 2. The grain or concentrate ration should be adjusted to the milk production. 3. The grain or concentrates should be fed in the proportion of lib to each 31b of milk produced, except in the case of cows giving over 4 gallons, in which case lib of grain should he given for each 41b of milk. \ better plan is to give lib of concentrates each day for every pound of butter-fat that the cow produces during the week. 4. Feed all that the cow will respond to ift milk production. If she begins to put oil flesh, cut down the grain ration. FOOD AND JIILIy.

Tables of the composition and. digestibilities of foods, as well as tables of standard rations, are not, as a rule, closely studied by dairy-farmers in general, but it is becoming of the utmost importance to the welfare of the industry that these vital details in farming business be studied and better known. The agricultural colleges and experimental farms are fulfilling a high place in agricultural economics, and their experience and research is showing that the feeding of live stock is a science of greatest importance in the' profitable production oi' food, and therefore to the interest of farmers. To do things in a scientific way is only to do them in a com-mon-sense way, and common sense is a product of intelligent interest. Another leading factor in feeding animals besides a balanced ration is the tact of observation which every feeder must cultivate to gain a knowledge of the individuality of each, animal under his care. The only coarse fodders containing a sufficiently high proportion of protein for use by themselves, for satisfactory growth, normal milk or meat production, or energy in horses, are the hays, made from jjjire clover or alfalfa, and only these when it is possible for the animals to consume enough of them. Meadow hay, in which clover is absent, has a very poor showing, 'in protein, only about three pounds in every hundredweight of hay, clover aiul alfalfa showing, on analysis, 101b to 111b of digestible protein. Of the straws, pea straw is the best. The farm-grown grains, oats, baric}', wheat, are all deficient in protein, though rich in carbohydrates. Maize ensilage and roots are excellent for supplying carbohydrates, but are deficient in protein, though if used with clover and alfalfa hay make well'balanced rations for store cattle, dry cows and. ewes. Oats make a well-balanced food in themselves, but when added to poor hay and roots do very little to improve the balance. Barley and wheat are also low in protein, and unl&s balanced by cakes, gluten and oil meals, are wasted when given with poor hay, roots or ensilage. Peas are, however, rich in protein, and can be used with meadow hay, roots or ensilage to make a well-balanced ration, that will economically use up these low-class forage crops.

A successful ration must contain not only sufficient nutriments to meet the ne°ds of the animal, but it must be bulky enough to satify the appetite. If animals do not receive sufficient bulk to distend their digestive organs, they are' not satisfied and will not do well. Bulk, therefore, has a commercial value. It would not pay to feed farr\ animals on concentrates alone, even if the required nutriments could be supplied chgftoeat in that form.