FOURTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR HOOK— PART X 



759 



Pig. 4. An excellent young bull of each of the four leading dairy 

 breeds. Owned by Iowa State College. 



as to their price per pound. Home grown feeds should be used 

 so far as practicable. Where the dairy farm produces clover, 

 alfalfa and oat and pea hays a large amount of the only nutrient 

 the Iowa farmer needs to buy, protein, may be secured cheaply. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF ECONOMICAL IOWA FEEDS. 



The characteristics of the feeds which are most economical and 

 efficient for the Iowa dairy farmer are given herewith: 



Corn: In the corn belt corn must form the basis of the econom- 

 ical ration because it is the cheapest source of the energy supply- 

 ing carbohydrates or starchy materials. However, it is necessary 

 that feeds rich in protein and ash be fed with it for best results. 

 The too common practice of feeding only timothy hay and corn 

 fodder to milk cows is bad, as it keeps many cows from making a 

 good record and returning a profit. In winter feeding corn may 

 be fed in the form of corn and cob meal, as corn and cob meal is 

 usually equal, pound for pound, to corn meal or corn chop when fed 

 to dairy cows. This is due to the fact that the cob present adds bulk 

 and by separating the starchy particles insures more complete diges- 

 tion. In summer feeding cracked corn is usually considered prefer^ 

 aM^- ^ecaus^ ^he cow is getting a great deal of bulky grass. 



