FOOD FROM CURED FODDERS 21 3 



fodder exposed and from decrease in palatability, . and the 

 feeding value of the crop in time becomes greatly lessened, 

 hence the advisability of feeding the fodder when practi- 

 cable in the autumn and early winter, reserving the fodder 

 for later feeding. 



For feeding calves, corn fodder is suitable when of fine 

 growth, but not so suitable as clover hay or alfalfa. When 

 not too coarse, it furnishes excellent food for young cattle 

 of any age, but it is too low in protein to produce results 

 entirely satisfactory when fed alone. Stover is less suitable 

 for such feeding, being lower in nutrients, but may be so 

 used when shredded. 



For cattle that are being fattened, corn fodder is in- 

 creasingly suitable as the grain which it contains increases. 

 Feeding corn from the shock is regarded as more econom- 

 ical than feeding from the crib, as the labor of husking is 

 saved, more or less of the fodder is consumed, and the ten- 

 dency to scouring often resulting from the heavy feeding of 

 ear corn is lessened if not entirely prevented. The benefits 

 resulting from feeding snapped corn are somewhat similar 

 though less in degree, as when feeding it the consumption 

 of coarse material is not so great. Fodder corn is fed by 

 strewing it over grass pastures daily, or by feeding in 

 slatted racks in yards or sheds. The distance between the 

 slats should be enough to permit the cattle to insert their 

 heads when feeding. The aim should be when feeding such 

 fodder to have two pastures or two feeding lots, and to al- 

 low other cattle to glean after those that are being fattened. 

 When fodder with but few ears or stover is being fed to 

 such cattle, the aim should be to feed it in the shredded 

 form, and to make not less than half the ration clover hay. 



For dairy cows in milk, corn fodder furnishes excellent 

 roughage when not too coarse on the stalk. With much ad- 

 vantage it may form 50 per cent or even more of the entire 

 roughage fed, according to the nature of the other fodder 

 used. When possessed of a fair amount of nubbins, it is 

 not necessary to add any more shelled corn. Even mature 



