FEED AND CARE OF DAIRY COWS 189 



ly influence the amount of grain that should be fed per day. For 

 cows weighing 800 Ibs. producing 20 to 22 Ibs. of milk testing 5 

 per cent fat, 7 to 8 Ibs. of grain should suffice. When the price 

 of grain is high it is sometimes economical to reduce the grain 

 portion of the ration to 5 to 6 Ibs. When the grain is reduced 

 the feeds grown on the farm may be fed to advantage. Cows 

 weighing 1,100 to 1,200 Ibs. should receive sometimes as high 

 as ii to 12 Ibs. of grain, depending upon their ability to con- 

 sume it to good advantage. Whenever heavy feeds such as corn 

 meal, middlings, etc. form a part of the ration, bulky feeds such 

 as wheat bran, dried brewers' grains, corn and cob meal, etc. 

 should be included. 



Some of the most important feeds suitable for dairy cows will 

 be considered. 



Corn (Grain). This grain is used very extensively in Ameri- 

 can dairy rations because it may be successfully grown in most 

 all sections of the United States. It is relished by cattle. It is 

 relatively high in carbohydrates and when supplemented with 

 another feed to complete the ration, the latter must necessarily 

 supply roughage and be nitrogenous in character. When whole 

 corn grain is fed some of it passes through the animal undigested 

 and for this reason it is well to grind it and feed it as corn meal. 



Corn and Cob Meal, when ground fine, is very satisfactory for 

 dairy cattle. When the expense of grinding is not too great it 

 may be used profitably. It is practically equal to corn meal in 

 feeding value for dairy cows because of its bulkiness and loose- 

 ness, which permits of its being readily acted upon by the di- 

 gestive juices. 



Ground Corn, Cob and Shuck Meal is also a good dairy feed. 

 By grinding the corn with the husk, the expense of shucking is 

 eliminated. 



Corn By-Products. Corn bran, corn germ meal, gluten feed, 

 gluten meal, grano-gluten and hominy meal are used a great deal 

 by feeders of dairy cattle. Gluten feed and gluten meal are very 

 popular with the eastern feeders as a source of protein. 



Wheat and Its By-Products. Ground wheat may sometimes be 

 fed when the price is not too high. It is of equal feeding value 



