FEEDS FOR THE DAIRY COW 377 



stover. Altho in this latter ration practically all the crude protein was 

 true protein, the crude protein in the alfalfa hay had just as high a value 

 for milk production, notwithstanding the fact that a considerable portion 

 was made up of the simpler compounds classed as amids. 



In general, leafy, fine-stemmed, early-cut hay is preferred by dairy 

 cows. In many sections a decided prejudice exists among stockmen in 

 favor of a certain cutting of alfalfa. Often this is largely unwarranted, 

 as the actual difference in feeding value may be small. For instance, 

 on account of a wide-spread opinion among dairymen in Utah that first 

 crop alfalfa hay was the highest in feeding value, Carroll of the Utah 

 Station 68 compared first, second, and third crop hay in trials during 

 2 years. Each crop was cut at the period of early bloom from the same 

 field and was cured in excellent condition. In order that the test might 

 be as much as possible upon the different cuttings of hay, the cows were 

 given all the hay they would clean up without waste, with only 0.65 Ib. 

 of concentrates daily for every pound of butter fat produced per week. 

 In these trials the advantage of any one crop over the others was found 

 to be almost negligible. In the corn belt and eastward quite commonly 

 the first cutting of alfalfa is coarser and less leafy than the later cuttings, 

 and is hence of lower value. 



611. Substituting alfalfa hay for part of the concentrates. The effective 

 way in which alfalfa hay can be used to replace part of the concentrates 

 in a ration for dairy cows is further shown in a trial by Fraser and 

 Hayden at the Illinois Station, 69 in which 2 lots, each of 3 cows, were fed 

 for two 66-day periods with the following results : 



Feeding alfalfa hay in place of part of the concentrate allowance 



Average daily yield Nutritive 



Average ration Milk Fat ratio 



Ration I Lbs. Lbs. 



Corn silage, 30 Ibs. Corn meal, 6 Ibs. 

 Clover hay, 6 Ibs. Wheat bran, 8 Ibs 23.8 1.00 1:6.9 



Ration II 

 Alfalfa hay, 8 Ibs. 

 Corn silage, 30 Ibs. 

 Clover hay, 6 Ibs. Corn meal, 6 Ibs 24.4 0.98 1:7.0 



Tho 8 Ibs. of alfalfa hay in Ration II replaced an equal weight of 

 wheat bran fed in Ration I, Ration II produced slightly more milk and 

 practically as much fat. 



Nearly as good results were secured in a trial by Billings at the New 

 Jersey Station 70 in which one lot of cows was fed 14 Ibs. alfalfa hay and 

 35 Ibs. corn silage, with only 2.5 Ibs. cottonseed meal for concentrates, 

 while another lot was fed 11 Ibs. purchased concentrates (cottonseed meal, 

 dried brewers' grains, and wheat bran), with corn stover and corn silage 

 for roughage. In this trial the 14 Ibs. of alfalfa hay replaced 8.5 Ibs. 



"Utah Bui. 126. 69 I11. Bui. 146. TO N. J. Bui. 190. 



