474 Feeds and Feeding. 



Though its nutritive constituents approximate those of cotton- 

 seed meal, it mixes well with that feed, causing it to lie more 

 lightly in the stomach. 



The large amount of mineral matter in bran is another factor 

 of much importance in milk production. In milk there is much 

 mineral matter, placed there for the framework of the calf, and 

 bran supplies this more abundantly than most feeding stuffs. 



Middlings, like bran, are extensively fed to dairy cows. Being 

 themselves heavy in character, they do not mix well with heavy 

 feeds like cotton- seed meal and corn meal. Dairymen will find 

 middlings much relished by cows and yielding satisfactory re- 

 turns. Bran and middlings are conceded by all who have fed 

 them to favorably affect the flow of milk. (1745) 



Cows may be fed as much as six to eight pounds of bran daily 

 and from four .to six pounds of middlings. 



720. Rye. This grain is fed in small quantities to milch cows 

 in Denmark. It is said to have a somewhat deleterious influence 

 on the quality of butter. The same statement applies to rye bran. 

 Not over three pounds of ground rye or rye bran should be fed in 

 one day to milch cows. 



721. Barley. The common grain for milch cows in Denmark 

 is barley and oats, generally sown and harvested together, the 

 proportion of barley and oats in the mixture being 2:3, or 1:2. 

 Barley alone is not fed extensively to cows, wheat bran being 

 preferred on the score of cheapness and influence on the milk 

 secretion. Barley will prove beneficial to cows fed heavily with 

 roots, since it counteracts their laxative influence. From three 

 to five pounds of ground barley will suffice in the ration of the 

 cow, bran proving an excellent complementary feed. (178) 



722. Brewers' grains. Fresh brewers' grains constitute one of 

 the best of feeds for the dairy cow. She is fond of them, and they 

 influence most favorably the flow of milk. Fed while fresh, in 

 reasonable quantity, supplemented by bright hay or corn fodder 

 for dry feed, the grains being supplied in tight feed-boxes which 

 can be kept clean, and with all other conditions favorable to the 

 healthfulness of the cow, no valid objection can be raised against 

 this form of feed. From twenty to thirty pounds of wet grains 



