Feeding Farm Animals 



293 



TABLE VIII 

 COMPOSITION OF STRAWS AND CORN STOVER 



Fodders and stovers come principally from the corn plant. 

 Corn fodder is the whole mature dried plant. Corn stover is 

 the mature dried plant minus the ears. They compare with 

 the grass hays in analyses. Often the fodder or the stover is 

 shredded before it is fed. This prepares it in better form for 

 feeding than if left whole. Fodder is often fed to fattening 

 steers, but for dairy cows it is less desirable. Corn stover is 

 sometimes used as a maintenance ration for keeping steers 

 over the winter, but it is not especially desirable when large 

 quantities are fed. The analyses of the two feeds are given in 

 Table VIII. 



The succulent roughages contain a large proportion of water 

 and are very valuable for this reason. Pasturage forms prac- 

 tically a balanced ration for dairy cattle, sheep, and horses; 

 often they are given no other feed. Hard-worked animals 

 should, however, receive some supplement to pasturage. 



Silage, soiling crops, and root crops are fed extensively to 

 dairy cows, since a large quantity of succulence is necessary 

 for animals in milk flow. Succulence not only aids in milk 



