58 BETTER DAIRY FARMING 



frequently as the cow tires of it or of some particular feed. Of 

 course, the animal must have salt regularly either in the grain 

 mixture or separately. We should also be inclined to add to the 

 grain mixture one or two per cent of one of the sources of lime and 

 phosphorus. 



There must be plenty of first quality clover or alfalfa available 

 throughout the year. Due to the scarcity and cost of beets, silage 

 may be the main reliance for succulence and the cow should 

 receive the best to be had. Of course, beets should be used in so 

 far as available. Fed with the grain, they mean a greater con- 

 sumption with less danger of the cow going off feed. Beet pulp, 

 soaked in water to which molasses is added, may be used in place 

 of roots. 



Assuming that the record period is to begin as soon as the cow 

 strikes her gait in a given lactation period she should be gradually 

 changed to the test ration, following calving, as we have suggested 

 in feeding for the short-time test. However, she should not be 

 .crowded as much on grain and should receive relatively more 

 roughage. The secret of successful feeding over the long period 

 is to secure maximum consumption without the animal going 

 off feed. This means that at all times the amount of feed must be 

 sufficiently limited to keep the appetite keen. The feeding for a 

 long-time record should really follow closely the suggestions we 

 have given in Chapter II for feeding during the lactation period, 

 paying especial attention to the quality of feed, the condition and 

 attitude of the animal and the other details of individual care we 

 have mentioned in connection with short-time tests. 



98. Use of pasture in long-time records. — The pasture 

 season presents a special problem. Many feeders keep the animal 

 in the barn all summer, aside from letting her out for short periods 

 for exercise when the weather is suitable. Others plan that the 

 cow shall secure considerable feed from pasture by turning her 

 out during the cooler parts of the day. In sections of the country 

 where the summers are not hot it is the custom of many to keep 

 the animal continuously on pasture when not too cold or wet. 

 The point is that the animal on test must not be subjected to 



