36 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Jan., 1916, 



butter fat less on the latter date than on the former, besides the loss 

 in skim milk. This is a very frequent decrease, and in many cases 

 much greater than in the case cited; in fact, in some districts, where 

 the cows are forced to depend solely on grass, herds milking heavily 

 in early January are almost dry in March, and are given four to five 

 months' spell before calving. Under such conditions dairying is not 

 i:)rofitable. 



N'ow, if 4 lbs. bran at £4 10s. a ton be added to the maize or millet 

 it would provide sufficient nourishment to check this decrease, and not 

 only is this gained, but a longer milking period is secured. The loss 

 of butter fat has a value of 4d., whilst the cost of 4 lbs. bran at £4 10s. 

 a ton is 2d., leaving a gain of 2d. per day in addition to more skim milk 

 and an extended milking season. 



Each farmer has a good knowledge of his own district and when 

 the pasture usually goes off. Just before this time hand-feeding should 

 be commenced. It is easier and cheaper to maintain the flow than to 

 increase it after a rapid decrease. 



It is expedient to supply feed in such amounts that, at least, it will 

 equal the amount of nutriment lost to the pasture. In supplying 

 purchased feeds to dairy cows, select those that are easily digested, as 

 such give a quicker return. The cost of digestion in some fodders is 

 very high, and by this cost will the value for milk production be reduced. 

 The variety of food purchased should be regulated by the price, the 

 amount of digestible matter, and its digestibility. 



The finer the condition of the food the more easily will it be digested. 

 At the same price bran is always preferable to lucerne hay. When 

 feeding bran to dairy cows the addition of a little pollard increases 

 the value of the ration, but it must not be fed in such amounts that 

 costiveness results. Its use is largely determined by the nature of the 

 rest of the ration. Large amounts may be fed when the feed consists 

 mainly of succulent food than when dry feeds comprise the bulk. 



During winter months from ^ to 2 lbs. crushed linseed meal or 

 cocoanut oil cake may be added, according to yield. These contain a 

 relatively high oily content, and are best suited for the production of 

 body warmth during cold weather. Like a machine, the dairy cow 

 should be kept working at her full capacity without over strain ; since, 

 in each case, it is under this condition that the greatest profit is made. 

 Just as a factory with sufficient motive power to drive twelve machines 

 at full pressure is more pri^fitable than one with the same amount of 

 power directed to twenty machines at half pressure, so the dairy herd 

 of twelve good cows well fed is more profitable than twenty cows of 

 the same quality underfed, whilst the initial cost and labour required 

 is less. 



It is only when the cow is getting as much food as she can transform 

 into milk that she is milking her best, and in the fair-conditioned 

 animal any excess above the requirement is shown by the animal 

 increasing in condition. 



