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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



beginning about the middle of August. It was found in 1912 that 

 the entire cost of pasture and soiling crops for each cow, counting 

 rent of land, labor, seed, etc., was only $G.G2 for the entire pasture 

 season. 



LABOR NECESSARY FOR SOILING CROPS. 



The objection usually raised to growing soiling crops is the 

 amount of labor necessary to cut and haul the feed to the cows 

 each day. On the college dairy farm this takes two men about one 

 and one-half hours each day. In 1912, with 4 5 cows, it was found 

 that a team and mower could be used to good advantage in cutting 

 the daily allowance of feed. Considering the value of soiling crops 

 in increasing production and decreasing cost of production of dairy 

 products, it will be found that excellent returns are secured for 

 time spent. 



SUCCESSION OP SOILING CROPS USED ON THE IOWA STATE COLLEGE 



DAIRY FARM. 



PREPARING THE COW FOR HER YEAR'S WORK. 



The proper time to begin feeding a cow for milk production is 

 six to eight weeks prior to freshening. She should have at 

 least this length of time to rest and prepare for the next lactation 

 period. The feeds given at this time should meet the following 

 requirements: Rest and cool out the digestive tract, supply nourish- 

 ment for the growth of the foetus or unborn calf, and build up the 

 flesh and strength of the cow herself. 



For the cows that are to freshen during the summer or early 

 fall it is a good plan to have a small pasture set aside so that they 

 may have abundance of pasture grass and not be molested by the 

 other cows. In addition to this a few pounds of ground oats and 

 in some cases a small quantity of bran will be sufficient. Cows 

 that are to freshen during the winter should receive from 20 to 2 5 



