56 BETTER DAIRY FARMING 



Some feeders prefer not to put salt in the mixture but to feed it 

 regularly or have it constantly before the animal. Distillers' grains 

 is one of the best feeds for test cows but is not as available as 

 formerly. A satisfactory mixture without distillers' grains could 

 be made up as follows: 



200 lbs. wheat bran 



200 lbs. gluten feed 



100 lbs. ground oats 



200 lbs. hominy 



150 lbs. oil meal 



150 lbs. cottonseed meal 

 The salt and charcoal could be added if desired. It is not probable 

 that the addition of lime or phosphorus would have any effect on 

 production during a short-time test. If desired, we would suggest 

 the addition of one per cent of steamed bone meal. 



94. Vary the ration for each cow. — Of course, in selecting 

 any ration it must be borne in mind that it may be desirable to 

 vary it according to the tastes of the animal. Frequently, it is a 

 good thing to change the ration entirely for a feed or two and 

 reduce the amount when an animal shows a tendency to go off 

 feed due to over-crowding. The fitting ration we have given will 

 prove satisfactory for this purpose. (87) The sudden change and 

 reduction will help bring the animal's appetite back. Even when 

 there is no tendency to go off feed such a change will frequently 

 be found worth while. Here no reduction in amount is called for. 

 There is usually some feeding period during the day at which the 

 cow eats her ration less readily — generally it is the noon feeding. 

 This is the time for a change. 



95. Roots and succulence. — Roots are a necessary feed for 

 the cow on test. A much larger amount of grain can be fed with 

 safety where roots are fed. Beets or mangels are preferred. The 

 ''Detroit Red" table beet and the "Norbiton Giant" or the 

 " Golden Tankard" mangel are satisfactory varieties. It is 

 customary to slice the roots and feed the grain on them while the 

 cow is being milked. Use about three pounds of beets for every 

 pound of grain. In the absence of roots, beet pulp soaked in water 



