768 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



cows demand to be fed in exactly the same way. Cows inclined 

 toward beeflness require a narrow ration, or one containing a pro- 

 portionately large amount of protein; cows of the strictly dairy 

 type, inclined to work hard and become thin in flesh, need to be fed 

 more extensively of foods rich in carbohydrates. Cows of large 

 capacity and the ability to produce great volumes of milk require 

 more than cow's with less capacity and ability. 



AMOUNT TO FEED. 



The amount of feed given the cow is of great importance. The 

 average dairy cow requires about 50 per cent of a normal ration 

 for maintenance. Consequently, if this cow is fed but one-half the 

 normal ration, she receives simply enough to maintain her body 

 and the milk she gives will be produced at the expense of her body 

 tissues. Under such conditions the flow of milk would no doubt 

 keep up for a time, but the animal would not be able to continue 

 the work and her strength for a very long period. This is one of 

 the chief reasons why cows on many farms drop off rapidly in milk 

 flow after the first two or three months of their lactation periods. 

 It is poor economy to under-feed the dairy cow because her main- 

 tenance requirements for the year will remain the same and her 

 milk production will be certain to suffer. 



There are cows that are over-fed, thus receiving food in addition 

 to the requirements for maintenance and milk production, and this 

 extra food is used for fat formation. This happens where all the 

 cows are fed alike, irrespective of lactation period and production. 

 This is also poor economy, because when many cows start to "flesh 

 up" they continue to do so at the expense of milk production. 



The best ration will depend upon the condition, individuality and 

 record of the cow, but it is a common practice to allow 1 pound 

 of grain for each 2 1-2 to 4 pounds of milk produced, depending 

 upon the richness of the milk, or 7 pounds of grain for each pound 

 of butter fat. In addition to this grain ration, the average cow 

 should receive 1 to 1 1-2 pounds of clover or alfalfa hay and 2 1-2 

 to 3 pounds of corn silage for each 100 pounds live weight. 



Because the prices for the different feeds vary so much from 

 year to year and from one locality to another, it is impossible to 

 designate just what grain mixtures are most efficient f^.nd economi- 

 cal. However, the following mixtures meet the requirements of a 

 good grain mixture to be fed in conjunction with corn silage and 

 alfalfa hay, provided the feeds can be bought at a price which will 

 make the ration comparatively economical: 



Sample Mixture A. Sample Mixture B. 



300 pounds corn and cob meal 400 pounds cracked corn 



200 pounds ground oats 100 pounds oil meal 



100 pounds cottonseed meal 200 pounds sluten feed 



100 pounds oil meal 100 pounds dried brewer's grains 



Sample Mixture C. Sample Mixture D. 



200 pounds corn and cob meal 400 pounds corn and cob meal 



100 pounds ground oats 100 pounds oil meal 



100 pounds gluten feed 100 pounds bran 



100 pounds cottonseed meal 200 pounds cottonseed meal 



