2 BETTER DAIRY FARMING 



the cow should be milked only once a day. After a day or two 

 this should be changed to once in two days and then to once in 

 three, etc. When the cow will go five or six days without milking, 

 without the udder becoming hard or inflamed, it is generally safe 

 to stop milking her altogether. However, she should be watched 

 for several days thereafter for signs of udder trouble. 



9. Feeding the dry cow. — The farmer can make no more 

 serious mistake than to think that because the cow is not giving 

 milk during the dry period the character and quality of her feed 

 is of small importance. It is true that she does not require as much 

 feed and that its protein content may be lower, but she must have 

 the amount and kind that will properly develop the foetus, put 

 her in condition to stand the strain of calving and build her up 

 for the next lactation. The feed should be such as to keep her in 

 good health and vigor and put on some fat. 



10. The grain mixture. — The grain ration should be made up 

 from feeds fattening in nature. We have used the following mixture 

 with good success: 



100 lbs. hominy feed 



100 lbs. ground oats 



100 lbs. wheat bran 

 50 lbs. oil meal 

 Oil meal is generally rather expensive but it should be an in- 

 gredient of the ration because of its value as a conditioner. The 

 ration should be bulky and laxative. A variety of feeds is of less 

 importance than with milking animals. 



The amount of grain to be fed will depend on the roughage. 

 With plenty of the best roughage the dry cow should receive at 

 least three to four pounds of grain a day. The amount may be 

 doubled to advantage with more valuable animals particularly 

 where records are sought. Succulent feed is important during the 

 dry period because it is healthful, cooling and aids in keeping the 

 animal in proper condition. Thus the dry cow should have all the 

 silage she will clean up. Where silage is limited or unavailable, 

 roots, such as mangels, rutabagas, or beet pulp mixed with diluted 

 molasses, make a satisfactory substitute. 



