HOW TO CALCULATE A RATION 



283 



Ration for 1000 pound dairy cow producing 22 pounds of milk a day. 



tExcess. 



If we look in Table B, on page 388, in the back of this 

 book, we will find the Wolff feeding standards for some of the 

 different farm animals, with 1000 pounds live weight as 

 a basis. In looking over this, we notice that a 1000-pound 

 dairy cow producing 22 pounds of milk a day requires daily 

 29 pounds dry matter, 2.5 pounds protein, 13 pounds carbo- 

 hydrates, 0.5 pound fat, with a nutritive ratio of 1:5.7. 



A comparison of this standard with the ration fed, shows 

 that our proposed ration is short of dry matter by 5.73 

 pounds; of protein, by 0.79 pound; of carbohydrates, by 

 0.70 pound; but has an excess of 0.11 pound fat. The 

 nutritive ratio of 1 : 8 is also too wide. 



The third step in computing the ration will be to correct 

 or improve it so that it will compare more favorably with the 

 required standard. If we can add some home-grown con- 

 centrate that is strong in protein, but lacking carbohydrates, 

 it may balance things. It does not make so much dif- 

 ference about the amount of dry matter, so long as we do 

 not greatly exceed that of the standard. Neither is it likely 

 that the ration will contain too much fat. However, it is 



