Thirty-sixth Annual Convention 993 



and " balanced ration " are synonymous. The balanced ration is 

 notliinij; more or less than a ration that will accomplish a purjiose 

 more efiiciently and more economically than any other ration and 

 differs as the purpose desired changes. Successful feeding depends 

 upon the ability of the feeder to determine accurately the pur- 

 poses to be accomplished and a knowledge of the physical and 

 chemical properties of available foodstuffs that will enable him 

 to so combine them that an efficient, common-sense, balanced 

 ration results. Thus it is that by analyzing existing conditions, a 

 ration at once suitable to developing an unborn calf and condi- 

 tioning the cow may be formulated. If it be summer time nothing 

 excels good pasturage or green food as a basic ration, but if in 

 winter, substitutes in the form of corn silage and beet pulp or other 

 succulent food should be used freely in conjunction with some 

 leguminous hay such as clover, alfalfa, sweet clover, cow pea, soy 

 bean or Canada peas and oat hay. 



Whether summer or winter conditions exist, a concentrated 

 ration properly balanced should be fed. Four or six weeks is not a 

 long time and quick conditioning necessitates a variety of feeds. 

 As a rule the grain ration consisting of two parts ground oats, 

 one part oil meal, one part bran and one part corn meal, will 

 prove efficient. The amount fed daily depends upon the feeding 

 qualities and condition of the cow. As a rule from six to ten or 

 even sixteen pounds of the mixture may be fed daily to good 

 advantage. It should be borne in mind that feed given during the 

 resting period is far from wasted. Even though the cow returns 

 nothing directly, she is making good use of the food and later 

 will return more profit for feed consumed while she is dry than 

 for that eaten at any other period. 



As freshening time approaches, if the feeding has been judi- 

 ciously performed, the cow wall begin rounding into bloom and 

 developing an udder to the fullness of her capacity. It is true 

 that more careful attention will be necessary at freshening than 

 though she were permitted to calve in poorer flesh. Careful and 

 skillful management will suffice to bring her through parturition 

 safely, and every feeder should consider it a part of his education 

 to know how to manage his cows for securing greatest results. 

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