NINETEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX 501 



are available for use through quite a long period. Thus to meet the needs 

 of the herd, changing climatic conditions influencing the yield and time of 

 ripening of the crop as well as the length of time it may be fed is a 

 difficult task worthy of serious study on the part of the dairyman. 



Soiling crops must be harvested in all kinds of weather. Frequently 

 climatic conditions render it difficult to haul in green feed daily which is 

 quite a disadvantage in the use of a soiling system. Wet weather not only 

 increases the labor of caring for the crop but it also diminishes its use- 

 fulness. Indigestion may result from feeding soiling crops harvested 

 during the rainy period as the feed is of a washy nature at this time, and 

 may occasionally induce bloat. Digestive disturbances may be induced 

 by the particles of soil which adhere to some crops, especially during 

 rainy periods. 



CORN SILAGE VERSUS SOILING. 



The relative merits of corn silage and soiling crops for supplementing 

 corn belt pastures is a disputed question. Every one appreciates the 

 advisability of furnishing additional succulent feed at this period of the 

 year. Undoubtedly there are conditions under which both feeds may 

 be profita'bly fed. On the average farm corn silage is a cheaper form of 

 succulence, as it can be produced at a less cost than soiling and is there- 

 fore generally the more economical feed. The labor in producing silage 

 comes largely after the harvest work so that help is easier and cheaper to 

 secure. Further, the feeding of silage in summer requires less labor than 

 does the growing and feeding of soiling crops. This factor is of greatest 

 importance where labor is scarce or where the largest production per 

 man is sought. 



Where silage is used the farmer is independent of the climatic condi- 

 tions since the supply is grown the previous year. This retention of part 

 of the corn crop until the succeeding year tends to equalize the quantity 

 of feed available during different years, thereby insuring against losses in 

 milk production due to a scarcity of feed. Since silage is usually under 

 cover, it does not require extra work during rainy weather which also 

 insures against digestive troubles emanating from wet feed. 



Silage possesses the added advantage of keeping for a relatively long 

 period of time. While some feed is spoiled by age, the vast portion of it 

 remains in a desirable condition. It does not become unpalatable as do 

 soiling crops when maturity is reached. It does not fluctuate in feeding 

 value from that of a light washy nature to a more mature and dry feed. 



The principal disadvantage of summer silage is the small size of silo 

 required. Silage to be of good quality and pleasing taste must be removed 

 twice as rapidly in hot weather as during the winter months. The silo 

 must therefore be much smaller in diameter, involving additional expense 

 in saving the crop. Where a large herd is maintained this will necessitate 

 the building of a number of small silos which are difficult to locate 

 conveniently, as well as being costly to erect. 



Since the silage must be fed more rapidly there are many small herds 

 which are not large enough to warrant the building of a summer silo. 

 The small silo costs a great deal more in proportion and in addition 



