872 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



[Vol. 41 



and growth of the ctilve.s in tlie gi'oups which were carried through the full 

 period, except the calf-meal group: 



Re.'iuUs from feeding silar/e or diluted tchole milk or both to dairy calves from 

 shortly after birth until about the age of 6 months. 



1 Limited. 



Groups 1 to 4 were begun in May, 1915, and the others in 1916. The grain 

 mixture in 1915 consisted of corn meal, crushed oats, and wheat bran (2:2:1). 

 Group 5 received the same except that " hominy " was substituted for corn 

 meal. " Hominy," ground oats, rod dog. and blood meal (3:3:1:1) constituted 

 the grain mixture given to groups 8 and 10. The blood meal was added because 

 of the great dilution of milk in these groups compared with group 4. In the 

 case of group 10, 2.5 parts of linseed meal replaced the one part of blood meal 

 for 35 days toward the end of the experiment. The hay was composed of 

 mixed grasses with some clover or alfalfa. The milk used in the dilutions con- 

 tained about 5 per cent fat. The silage fed most of the time contained over 

 75 per cent moisture. Proximate analyses of 8 samples of silage are reported. 

 Costs are computed on a 1915-1916 and on a December, 1917, basis of prices. 



More or less scouring occurred in practically all groups, and it was particu- 

 larly noticeable in group 2 which received silage, but no gi'ain or hay. Feed- 

 ing silage before the age of 2 or 3 months is not considered desirable because 

 it widens the ration and increases the chance of scouring. In the later months 

 the calves relished the silage, and often ate it before drinking their skim milk. 



"The diluted whole milk groups proved more expensive than the skim milk 

 groups, but gains were produced at a price low enough so that such a practice 

 would prove practical on a whole milk market farm, since it eliminates the 

 investment in a separator and the labor involved in separation." Of the 

 diluted milk groups, group 10 (which also received silage) was the most satis- 

 factory from the standpoint of gains and costs. Group 7 (diluted milk) was 

 not continued on experiment because some of the feeds desired were not 

 available. Group 9 consisted of 2 calves fed diluted milk in which some of 

 the grain was mixed. The calves scoured badly and the experiment was dis- 

 continued. The ill-success is attributed in part to the method of feeding. 

 " The usual coagulation by the rennin is probably interfered with." 



The calves of group G received a proprietary calf meal with silage, grain 

 and hay. After a few weeks all whole milk was withdrawn. No skim milk 

 was fed. Four calves starte<l and 2 completed the test. The average gains 

 of the latter were 0.91 and 0.73 lbs. per day, respectively. Digestion troubles 

 were encountered. Silage and calf meal is not considered a desirable mixture 

 for young calves. 



