TWENTIETH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VI 547 



The last factor to be considered, and one which is equal to any in 

 value, is that of economy of the ration. If all other characteristics were 

 right and this one wrong, the ration would be a failure. Again, however, 

 in this part of the world where hays and grains are grown in abundance, 

 the problem is not a difficult one. In general it may be said that home 

 grown feeds are the cheapest as they are free from freight charges and 

 middlemen's profits. However, there are times when it is possible to 

 haul whole grain to market and bring back factory by-products, such 

 as wheat bran, and save money. Previous to the war this was especially 

 true of oats. 



In growing feeds for economical milk production it is always well to 

 grow legume hays as far as possible. In case roughage has to be bought 

 legumes again are usually the cheapest when considered from the stand- 

 point of nutrients contained, and that is the basis on which all feeds 

 should be bought whether they be roughages or concentrates. 



FEEDING GUIDES 



While it is impossible to state accurately what and how much feed 

 should be fed to all cows at all times, some general suggestions may be 

 of value. 



1. Feed one pound of hay per day for each hundred pounds of live 

 weight when silage is also a part of the ration. 



2. When silage is not used feed two pounds of hay for each one hun- 

 dred pounds of live weight. 



3. In feeding silage give three pounds of silage per day for each one 

 hundred pounds of live weight. 



4. Feed one pound of grain for every two and one-half to four pounds 

 of milk produced per day. Cows giving high testing milk should receive 

 the larger proportion of grain. 



In order to produce milk most economically it is very necessary to 

 prepare the cow for her year's work by feeding her well during the dry 

 period which should last from six weeks to two months. Too often it is 

 the practice among farmers to slight their cows at this time because as 

 they say, "They are producing nothing," However, it should be recalled 

 that they are producing a calf and besides that they need extra feed to 

 build up and prepare for a hard day's work. One of our best feeders has 

 said that the feed he feeds during the dry period is the cheapest feed of 

 all the year in that it gives greatest returns for the money expended. 



Just before and immediately after freshening the cow should receive 

 but little grain and that of the lighter types such as wheat bran, ground 

 oats and perhaps a little oil meal. This should be gradually increased 

 until the cow is receiving enough to insure a maximum milk flow and the 

 cow may receive as high as one pound of grain for every two and one-half 

 pounds of milk. Care should be taken at all times to so feed that the milk 

 flow is maintained at a constant level as far as possible. For awhile in 

 the spring and early summer, when the pasture is abundant, it is well to 

 remove all grain from the ration, and thus give the digestive system an 

 opportunity to rest a little. Later on in the season, when the pasture 

 dries up, and the cows begin to decrease in milk flow, enough grain 



