68 



Tlje cost of a pound of the several mixtures is likely to vary 

 from 1.5 to 1.7 cents. It is believed that the above selections 

 are more economical on the basis of their content of nutritive ma- 

 terial than many of the sugar feeds and other proprietary mix- 

 tures. 



In general it may be said that the amount of grain to be fed 

 daily depends (a) upon the size of the cow, (b) daily milk yield, 

 and (c) the local market value of the milk. The richer the milk, 

 the more food is required to produce a given amount; and vice 

 versa. 



Six to seven pounds of the above mixtures is a fair average 

 amount for cows weighing 800 to 900 pounds, which are yielding 

 10 quarts of 4 to 5 per cent milk. For every 2 quarts of milk 

 yielded in excess of this amount the grain ration may be increased 

 by 1 pound. 



7. Rations for Young Stock. 



Young dairy stock may receive 1 peck or more of silage daily, 

 depending upon their size, in addition to what hay, corn stover 

 or other coarse fodder they will eat clean; or the entire roughage 

 may consist of hay. Ten to 15 pounds of roots daily in cases where 

 silage is not available will prove appetizing and helpful. Grass 

 and clover rowen form a very desirable feed for growing animals. 

 In addition to the above, it is usually advisable to feed from 1 to 

 3 pounds daily of a grain mixture reasonably rich in protein and 

 ash.^ Any of the above grain mixtures will prove satisfactory. 

 The writer has found mixtures by weight of 1-2 bran, 1-4 corn meal 

 and 1-4 flour middlings; or 1-2 bran, 1-4 corn meal and 1-4 ground 

 oats quite satisfactory. A ration composed of late cut hay and 

 corn meal would not be desirable, it lacking both flesh and bone 

 forming material (protein and ash). 



Several months before the heifer freshens it is well, if cir- 

 cumstances permit, to increase the grain ration to 5 or 6 pounds 

 per day in order to get her accustomed to grain and to encourage 

 a large future milk flow. 



The feeder will do well to bear the following in mind: 



1. Late-cut hay is noticeably less nutritious than early-cut. 



2. Fine grasses are more nutritious than the coarse. 



3. The clovers and alfalfa should be cut in early bloom. 

 If cut in late bloom their nutritive value is noticeably lessened. 



'If the roughage consists largely of grass or clover rowen, 2 pounds daily of a mixture of 

 bran and corn meal, or even of corn meal alone, will prove satisfactory. 



