NINETEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART V 343 



FEEDING FOR MILK PRODUCTION 



By Prof. H. H. Kildee, Animal Husbandry Department, Ames, Iowa. 



Selection of Feed-Stuffs. 



In securing the lowest possible cost of production, and ultimately the 

 largest profit, from the herd, the proper selection of feeds is important. 

 The primary object of the feeder, in all cases, is the maximum production 

 of milk for least expenditure of feed. While each feed-stuff is fairly uni- 

 form, so far as nutrient content, effect on the system and palatability are 

 concerned, it is impossible to recommend a particular ration which will 

 prove most economical and efficient at all times, because feed-stuffs vary 

 in price in different seasons and localities, and also because the feed 

 requirements may vary with each individual cow. 



Characteristics of a Good Ration. 



The general requirements which should be met by rations for dairy 

 cows are as follows: Palatability, variety, bulk, succulence, balance of 

 nutrients, proper effect upon the system and economy. 



Palatibility is a factor of great importance, for, no matter how good 

 the ration is from the standpoint of digestible nutrients contained, the 

 best results can not be expected unless it appeals to the cow's appetite. 

 To secure this palatability, feeds of good quality liked by the cow should 

 be fed in a clean manger. All grains, such as oats, barley, and corn, 

 give best results when ground. 



A cow soon tires of a ration made up of but one or two feeds and as 

 radical or frequent changes in the ration are not conducive to the best 

 results, it is important that feeds be so combined in the ration as to give 

 variety. This variety is essential for the dairy cow because, unlike the 

 beef steer, she is on feed for a long period and for successive periods. 



Bulk is required to help make digestion in the roomy digestive tract 

 as thorough as possible: moreover, the bulky feeds grown upon the farm 

 are the cheapest feeds. When bulk is lacking the digestive juices do not 

 act as thoroughly upon the small, compact food mass and all the digest- 

 ible nutrients cannot be utilized. This bulk is obtained not only through 

 feeding alfalfa and clover hays and corn silage, but also by making the 

 grain ration rather bulky. Corn and cob meal, ground oats and bran are 

 bulky and all are good for the dairy cow. The most economical milk 

 production can be secured only when the roughages produced upon the 

 farm are utilized to the best advantage, especially when some high pro- 

 tein or leguminous hay is grown, such as clover, alfalfa, oats and Canada 

 Held peas, soy beans or cow peas. 



