THE FEEDING OF DAIRY COWS 179 



Proportion of Roughage to Grain. 



As it is at all times necessary for the cow to have 

 enough food to satisfy her appetite, the proportion 

 of roughage to grain feed must be adjusted to her 

 needs. When dry or yielding only a very small 

 amount of milk, very little grain feed will be required, 

 if any at all, as long as she has enough bulk to 

 satisfy her. If the cow is doing medium work, one- 

 third of the nutrients should be supplied from the 

 grain feed, and the other from the roughage. When 

 in full milk, and giving a good quantity, half the 

 nutrients should come from the grain feeds. 



If it is desired to keep the cow in the dairy 

 during her natural life, these precautions should be 

 maintained, but if a record is being worked for, i.e. 

 a huge yield in a short time, two-thirds of ration 

 should be grain food. 



Object of Feeding. 



The object of artificial feeding is to provide 

 sufficient roughage to satisfy the animal, and to 

 supply the amount of each nutrient needed for the 

 work she is doing at the pail. If the ration lacks 

 bulk she will be discontented ; if it contains an excess 

 of nutrient needed for maintenance of body and 

 milk she is yielding, a gradual gain in weight will 

 follow, which we do not want ; and, on the other 

 hand, if it is deficient in the nutrients there will be 

 a decrease in yield of milk. 



