244 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



require for maintenance .56 pounds of protein and 5.78 

 pounds of carbohydrates and fats; for production, 1.65 

 pound of protein and 10.2 pounds of carbohydrates and fats. 

 By consulting the table of nutrients in the appendix a se- 

 lection of feeds may be made that will meet the requirements 

 of the ration as calculated. 



The standard ration forms a good basis for an intelligent 

 feeding of dairy cows. It may have to be modified somewhat 

 to suit individual cows, as some may require more, and some 

 less, than the estimated amount. Often it is possible to 

 increase the milk production of a cow considerably by bring- 

 ing her ration up to what it ought to be. For example, by 

 changing and standardizing the rations of a herd of poorly 

 fed cows, it was found that the quantity of milk could almost 

 be doubled, while at the same time the condition of the cows 

 was greatly improved. 



In making a ration to conform to the standard for dairy 

 cows it is necessary to keep in mind the need of the animal 

 for both roughage and concentrates. Roughage aids digestion 

 by lightening and distributing the concentrates, which furnish 

 most of the protein and considerable amounts of easily di- 

 gested material, such as starch. 



The most frequent mistake in feeding cows for milk pro- 

 duction is a failure to give them enough feed. This mistake 

 is often due to allowing roughage to constitute the main 

 part of the feed. The animals may seem satisfied, but will 

 not have a sufficient amount of nutrients to produce to their 

 full capacity. Especially is this the case with the best type 

 of dairy cows. The most profitable feeding, when milk 

 production is the object, is liberal feeding. 



Economy in feeding must also be taken into consideration; 

 that is, the cost or value of the feed. In other words, the 



