50 DAIRYING 



understanding the method of calculation here given is the use of 

 feeds, either those raised or bought, that will cost the least labor 

 and money and provide the combination of nutrients desired. 



In some cases it is more profitable to sell certain feeds grown 

 on the farm and use the money for buying feed more suitable 

 for making the kind of ration needed to produce milk economi- 

 cally ; the market price of oats may warrant the selling of oats 

 from the farm and buying such concentrated, protein feeds as 

 gluten meal, malt sprouts, and some others; the market prices, 

 cost of delivery, and all expenses connected with the buying and 

 selling of such feeds must be taken into consideration in making 

 such a calculation, but it pays well to keep posted about market 

 prices of feeds and to give the matter of economical feeding, as 

 well as balanced ration feeding, constant attention. 



739. The two tables given, contain sufficient data for mak- 

 ing the necessary calculation as to a proper feed for dairy cows in 

 almost any locality, and it is much better to understand the 

 method of using them than it is to have a number of different 

 rations recommended and then make a choice for them. 



740. A feeding rule which requires no calculation as to 

 digestible protein, etc., etc., needed per cow has become quite 

 popular in recent years, as has also the mixing of the grain ration 

 in large quantities and giving each cow the number of pounds of 

 this mixture that her size and milking conditions require. Some 

 of the grain mixtures used at the University of Wisconsin* dairy 

 barn are : 



No. 1. Wheat bran 2 parts, ground oats 2 parts; corn mea) 

 2 parts ; gluten meal 1 part ; oil meal 1 part. 



No. 6. Wheat bran 3 parts; corn meal 4 parts; distiller's 

 grains 3 parts. 



Either one of these grain mixtures "When fed with corn 

 silage and hay or corn stover, will furnish a ration having a nutri- 

 tive ratio of 1 :7. Each cow should receive as much roughage as 

 she will eat up clean, and a portion of this should preferably be 

 of a succulent nature, like grass, silage, soiling crops, or roots. 



*Bul. 200. 



