DAIRY FARMING DAIRYING. 1109 



DAIEY FARMING DAIRYING. 



Feeding: trials with cows, J. L. Hills ( VerinoiU Sia. Jlpt. 1903, j)p- 209-264-[- 

 XXXIV). — This is a detailed account of feeding experiments conducted during the 

 year along the same general line followed during the previous 5 years. Many of the 

 experiments are repetitions of those reported last year. Tests were made to compare 

 low and medium grain rations; to ascertain the extent of experimental error in feed- 

 ing trials; and to study the feeding value of distillers' grains, brewers' grains, cotton- 

 seed meal, linseed meal, apple pomace, pumpkins, and a proprietary dairy feed. 

 As in |>revious years, the detailed data are given in the form of an appendix. The 

 trials included 48 cows and lasted 25 weeks. Each feeding trial lasted 5 weeks, the 

 conclusions in every case being based uj^ou the data obtained during the last 23 

 days. 



Grain rations of 2, 4, and 8 lbs. were compared with 12 cows, the results showing 

 an increase in the yield of milk and fat of 10 per cent when the 2-lb. ration was 

 replaced by the 4-lb. ration, and of 18 per cent when replaced by the 8-lb. ration. 

 It is estimated that when 2 lbs. of grain was fed instead of 4, the saving in cost of 

 feed was $3.32 and the loss in butter not made was $3.74; and that when 2 lbs. of 

 grain was fed instead of 8, the saving in cost of feed was $8.40 and the loss in butter 

 not made was $6.42. The 4-lb. ration was considered more satisfactory in every way 

 than the 2-lb. ration. While the yield of butter from the 8-lb. ration did not pay 

 the extra cost oi grain as compared with the 4-lb. ration, yet the heavier ration w'as 

 considered the more satisfactory when the skim milk and manure are taken into 

 account. 



Four cows were used in a test to determine the value of feeding dried distillers' 

 grains alone, as compared with a mixture of these grains and bran. The mixture of 

 distillers' grains and bran produced 3 per cent more milk than the undiluted grains, 

 no change being observed in the quality of the milk. More milk and butter per 

 unit of dry matter, however, was produced when the grains were fed alone. From 

 a financial standpoint the mixed ration resulted in a gain of three-quarters of a 

 cent daily i^er cow. 



As compared with dried brewers' grains in a test with 6 cows, dried distillers' 

 grains produced 5 per cent more milk and 8 jjer cent more butter, but owing to tjieir 

 high cost proved less economical. 



As compared with a mixture of wheat bran, cotton-seed meal, and linseed meal 

 (2:1:1), dried distillers' grains and bran (2:1) produced, in a test with 6 cows, 1 per 

 cent more solids and 3 per cent more fat, although the total yield of milk was not 

 increased. Owing to the extra cost of the distillers' grains the profit w^as no greater. 



In a test with 5 cows a comparison was made of dried brewers' grains with a mix- 

 ture of cotton-seed meal, linseed meal, and bran. The 2 rations i:)roved equally effi- 

 cient, but owing to the lower price of the brewers' grains this material was fed more 

 economically. 



Apple pomace was compared with pumpkins in a test with 4 cows. The pump- 

 kins increased the yield of milk 6 per cent. The quality of the milk was unifonn on 

 both rations. Neither the health of the cows nor the quality of the butter were 

 injured by feeding pumpkins. 



Nutrene dairy feed, a proprietary feeding stuff said to be a sugar-house by-product 

 combined with wheat, corn, and oat j^roducts, was not readily eaten, and in the 

 opinion of the author does not seem to be a desirable addition to the list of dairy 

 feeds. 



Dried distillers' rye grains produced less milk and butter than other distillers' 

 grains in a test with 1 cow. 



Apple pomace silage fed in amounts of 24 to 35 lbs. produced 3 per cent more 

 milk and 5 per cent more butter than did immature corn silage fed in the same 



