810 Agricultural Gazette ofN.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. 



Foodstuffs used for Cattle. 



The conuuoiier materials used in feeding cattle may be briefly described, 

 although diseases of the digestive tract in cattle which are stall-fed are not 

 so intimately connected with any particular food or foods as is the case with 

 horses. The descriptions are merely examples of the different types of 

 food used, and an approximate idea only is given of the best method of 

 utilising them. • 



Lucerne {hay or chaff). — A most valuable food, which, on account of its 

 high nitrogenous content can be largely utilised in place of more expensive 

 concentrated food, and when mixed with corn or other silage and bran, 

 furnishes a very useful lation. A very safe food. 



Silage {corn or sorghu7n).- — -A very useful bulk food, but care should be 

 taken that no mouldy silage is fed. Owing to its succulence it is of great 

 value to dairy cattle, and being slightly laxative the digestive tract is kept 

 in good condition by its use. 



Chaff {oaten and ivheaten). — A useful bulk food, but requires more 

 concentrates to balance the ration than does lucerne chaff. 



Bran. — One of the best forms of concentrated food for cows, and of 

 great value in maintaining health by its action on the digestive organs, its 

 mineral content and its power of protecting stock from some disease 

 conditions associated with food deficiency. 



Hay {grass and clover). — Although nOt much utilised in this country, hay 

 furnishes excellent roughage for cattle, and if made from a mixture of grass 

 and clover is especially valuable. It forms an excellent medium for supply, 

 ing the long rough feed which is so beneficial to all ruminants and which 

 enables them more perfectly to digest the chaff, bran, and meal which form 

 the larger portion of their food. By improving rumination and digestion 

 this food aids in preventing colic, tympany, and indigestion. 



Gorn and Corn Meal. — Valuable concentrated foods but lack protein ; they 

 are best given with lucerne or clover hay. 



Oats — Good concentrated food but does not possess the same high value 

 for cattle as for horses. If the ration is well balanced it can replace corn. 



Linseed Meal. — A concentrated food rich m protein and mineral salts. 

 Can be used to balance much of the lack of protein in ^chaff. Slightly 

 laxative. 



Pumpkins. — Useful as part of the bulk food but requires the addition of a 

 considerable amount of concentrates to make a balanced ration. The same 

 thing applies to melons, &c., and roots. 



Diseases Associated with Feeding in Cattle. 



Tympanites — Hoven. — This is due to the formation of gases in the rumen 

 or paunch, and very frequently follows the feeding of cattle on luxuriant and 

 succulent green food'. It is more oftcu observed, even in well-fed stock, when 

 they are first turned on to clover, trefoil, lucerne, and other leguminous plants, 

 but it is more likely to occur if the animals are hungry and are put on to the 



