Live Stock Breeders' Association. 191 



amount of milk and butter at the least expense. In order that this 

 may be realized, both the important factors mentioned must re- 

 ceive careful attention. 



In most cases the largest direct expense is for feed. Every 

 one familiar with the prevailing conditions knows a large amount 

 of feed is used without producing the returns it should. It would 

 be safe to say that the average yearly milk production per cow 

 could be increased by one-half or three-fourths by following better 

 methods of feeding. 



It is not the intention at this time to give results of new ex- 

 perimental work nor to lay down fixed rules for feeding, but to 

 make some suggestions adapted to Missouri conditions, these sug- 

 gestions being based on the facts developed by the practice of the 

 best dairymen and by scientific experiments. 



Turning on Pasture in Spring — Every owner of a cow wel- 

 comes the time when the animal can be turned out to pasture. Not 

 only is the labor and expense connected with winter feeding done 

 away with, but each cow is expected to give the best results of the 

 year on grass. In changing from dry feed to grass, it is best to 

 go somewhat slowly, especially with heavy milking cows. The 

 young, immature grass, such as we have in early spring, contains 

 a large amount of water and a small amount of dry matter, and it 

 is almost impossible for a heavy milking cow to eat enough of such 

 feed to supply the necessary amount of nutrients. Wheat and rye 

 pastures are of the same nature. Another reason for putting cat- 

 tle on pasture gradually rather than suddenly, is the effect on the 

 taste of the milk. When a cow is changed at once from a grain 

 ration to grass a very marked taste is developed in the milk, while 

 if this change in feed is made gradually and not suddenly the 

 change in the taste of the milk is scarcely noticed. 



Summer Conditions to be Maintained as Near as Possible 

 Throughout the Year — Soon after the cows are on pasture, usually 

 the latter part of May or the first part of June, they reach the 

 maximum production of milk for the year. This suggests that what 

 the dairyman must do in order that the production of milk may be 

 the largest, is to imitate these summer conditions as far as possible 

 throughout the remainder of the year. This is what the careful 

 dairyman and skilled feeder does, and the results correspond closely 

 to the success with which these summer conditions are maintained. 

 The summer conditions which bring about the maximum production 

 and which are to be maintained as far as possible throughout the 

 year, are described in the following statement: 



