208 BETTER DAIRY FARMING 



Whore weeds occur in large amount, the reverse is true. The other 

 feeds must be chosen accordingly. 



357. Corn fodder and stover lack protein.— Corn fodder 

 means either the fresh or cured corn plant grown primarily for 

 forage, with any ears produced on it. Corn stover is cured shock 

 corn from which the ears have been removed. No dairyman 

 can afford to be without a silo, and preserving the entire corn 

 plant as silage rather than as fodder means less loss of nutrients 

 and a more nutritious and palatable product. 



When corn is grown thickly, harvested while still green, cured 

 in well made shocks, and drawn in as soon as dry, a very nutri- 

 tious roughage results. Corn fodder is high in carbohydrates and 

 low in protein. It is best fed along with a legume roughage and ne- 

 cessitates the use of a high-protein grain mixture, even as does 

 timothy. 



Corn stover has less protein and less feed value than the fodder 

 and is much less palatable. The best course for the farmer to 

 follow who has stover as a by-product on his farm is to place it 

 before his dairy cows and young stock, and let them eat what 

 they will of the leaves and more tender stalks. 



358. The cereal straws. — Straw has less feeding value than 

 corn stover and can have little place in the ration of the dairy 

 animal. A limited amount of oat straw, if of good quality, may 

 be used to supplement better roughage. The cows should be al- 

 lowed to pick out the more tender parts of the straw and then the 

 remainder can be used for bedding. Barley straw stands next to 

 oat in value. Wheat and rye straws are too coarse and woody to 

 feed. 



359. Computing the amount of hay in a mow. — Frequently 

 one wants to know how much hay is left in a mow. In a mow of 

 timothy hay of average depth, there will be a ton of hay for every 

 500 cubic feet. Of course, the hay is heavier toward the bottom 

 of the mow. Near the bottom 450 cubic feet will make a ton. 

 On the other hand, near the top 550 cubic feet would be required. 

 Clover and alfalfa weigh somewhat less than timothy. About 1200 

 cubic feet of settled wheat straw are required to make a ton. 



