10 JiLY, 1916.] Feeding Terms. 411 



of the. food is depressed. Maize (green) is an example of a food with a 

 wide ratio, there being 1 part of protein to 12 of carbohydrates. When 

 the ratio is too narrow, protein is wasted, because the amount of food 

 consumed under general conditions contains a greater amount of protein 

 than the animal can utilize. 



An average milking herd requires food possessing an average ratio 

 of 1 to 6 and 1 to 7. When the amount of carbohydrate is greater, the 

 ratio is wide; when less, narrow. 



Examples of foods, with their ratios: — 



Narrow N.R. 

 Green lucerne ... 1:3. 

 Bran ... ... 1:4. 



Linseed meal ... 1 : 2. 

 Brewers' grain ... 1:3. 



The use of any of these foods alone results in considerable waste, and is 

 not conductive to an economical return ; but a combination of the above 

 foods provides, not only the necessary food substances, but contains them 

 in that proportion which produces the most economical return. 



Balanced Ration. 



A combination of foods in that proportion which gives the best results 

 for any particular purpose. Some of the above-mentioned foods, when 

 combined in the following proportion, form a balanced ration for an 

 average milking herd : — 



Maize . . 40 I Bran . . . . 4 1 Chaff . . . . 10 



Bran .. 10 Green Luccriie ,. 15 | Linseed Mc^al .. 1 

 Chaff . . 5 Maize . . . . 40 I Brewers' Grain . . 20 



Lucerne Hay . . 12 

 Maize. . . . oO 



Bran . . . . 10 



The amounts fed are determined by the quantities of milk secreted. It 

 must not be infen-ed that, when some of the above feeds are fed alone, 

 good returns are not attained, but a combination increases the yield, and 

 at the same time decreases the cost of production when market values are 

 given to home-grown crops, or when purchasing. 



Concentrates. 



A term applied to foodstuffs relatively rich in easily digestible food 

 substances, as oil cakes, grains, bran, and mill products. Lucerne hay — 

 although popularly regarded as such — is not a concentrate in the above 

 definition, owing to the high cost of digestion. It should be used as a 

 bulky feed, and, when farm-grown, should be i>rovided in large 

 quantities. 



Maintenance Ration. 



That amount of food refpiired to maintain a nou-prcducing animal iu 

 a healthy condition. 



In any system of feetling, the first demand is made for maintenance : 

 what is available over this requirement can be used fcr work or milk 

 production. In feeding milking cows, the maintenance part of the ration 

 is most clieapiy sunt>lied by bulky foods, such as hays, and green fodder. 

 That part to be used for milk secretion is best provided by oiisily digestible 

 concentrates. 



