500 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



in milk. Where the land is well cultivated and soiling crops produced, 

 these difficulties encountered in the production of sanitary milk are 

 eliminated. 



The saving of divisional fences occasioned by soiling is a factor of 

 importance under some conditions. This permits of the utilization of the 

 land immediately adjacent to the fence row and removes one of the 

 unsightly scenes afforded by many farms. 



Finally, soiling permits of the saving or more complete utilization of 

 manure. The waste of fertility on the average farm is quite large. 

 Through the operation of a soiling system the most effective use of barn- 

 yard manure is made possible. The hauling out and spreading of the 

 manure now wasted in the barnyards and lanes of this state, would effect 

 a large increase in the productivity of the soil. The actual value of the 

 excreta passed by a cow in a year for fertilizing purposes averages about 

 $45 based on pre-war prices, if all is utilized, which condition may be 

 approached where soiling is practiced. 



DISADVANTAGES OF SOILING. 



Practical experience has demonstrated that soiling possesses some 

 weaknesses which thus far have inhibited the wide use of this system 

 of summer feeding. Soiling involves a much greater expense for labor 

 than does pasturing. The green feed to be in the most palatable and appe- 

 tizing condition must be cut daily, which for a herd of 40 oows requires 

 two men and one team for two hours where a partial system of soiling 

 is practiced. Since the amount fed varies from 30 to 100 pounds per cow, 

 the labor involved is considerable, and the regularity required of attend- 

 ants ofttimes proves irksome. 



In addition to harvesting the soiling, the extra time and labor involved 

 in seeding the small plots — at least six to eight sowings being needed to 

 keep the supply of green feed regular throughout the season — is consider- 

 able. The labor of handling the manure and caring for the animals from 

 day to day is large, a factor which further augments the labor required in 

 a system of soiling. Coming during the summer season when help is 

 scarce and wages high makes this an important item entering into the 

 cost of soiling crops. 



A second difficulty encountered is that of providing a suitable series of 

 crops as well as adjusting the amounts of each to the requirements of the 

 herd. The varying climatic conditions' and the consequent changes and 

 inequalities in the rates of ripening of the various crops makes the time 

 at which a given crop may be ready to cut, extremely variable. The 

 average yield and therefore the exact acreage of a crop, essential to 

 supplying sufficient green feed, depends upon the weather. 



Where there must be a succession of crops furnishing the soiling, it 

 ofttimes occurs that it is not desirable to utilize any surplus for hay 

 production, which is the only alternative presented. The time at which 

 a soiling crop can be used depends on the individual crop, the time at 

 which it is sown, the soil and climatic conditions. Some crops such as 

 alfalfa, are adapted for use as soiling during a comparatively short period 

 after which the forage becomes too mature for feeding while other crops 



