414 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



Digestible protein 2.5 pounds. 



Digestible ether extract 0.5 pound. 



Digestible carbohydrates 13.0 pounds. 



Total dry matter 29.0 pounds. 



This gives a nutritive ratio of 1:5.7. In -nearly all 

 foods the inorganic or mineral constituents are sufficiently 

 present to supply all the needs of the animals. The one 

 common exception is salt. 



The above constituents are much the same as those 

 contained in good pasture grass, and this fact constitutes 

 a strong presumptive argument in favor of its approximate 

 correctness. Good pasture grass, when at its best for 

 milk production, constitutes more nearly a perfect ration 

 for cows giving milk than any single food that can be 

 furnished for them. This is evidenced in the doubt that 

 exists in the minds of many practical men as to whether 

 anything can be added to such a ration, as grain for in- 

 stance, that will make it more effective in producing milk. 

 Good pasture for milk production may be defined as 

 pasture so far advanced in growth that it will not induce 

 under-laxity of the digestion, not far enough advanced in 

 growth to make it in any marked degree less palatable 

 or less digestible, and sufficiently abundant to supply the 

 needs of the animals without calling for any unnecessary 

 exertion from it while grazing. 



The tendency with some American investigators, how- 

 ever, is to reduce somewhat the protein requirement in the 

 food for dairy cows as given in the Wolff-Lehmann 

 standards. Some of these favor a reduction of as much as 

 10 per cent of protein. This would make the digestible 

 protein requirement 2.25 instead of 2.5 pounds per day, and 

 would in no inconsiderable degree cheapen the ration. The 

 wisdom of making such a reduction has found considerable 

 support. The difference in the protein reqirement thus 

 advanced for the respective countries may be owing to a 

 difference in the condition of the foods as to the amount of 



