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RATIONS FOR DAIRY COWS. 



(From Ontario Bulletin 104.) 



Some Ontario Rations for Dairy Cows. 



1. Shorthorns, Jerseys and Jersey grades. Average weight of cows, 1,000 

 lbs. ; 6 lt)s. bran, 3 lbs. oil meal, 50 lbs. ensilage, 4 lbs. timothy hay, 4 lbs. oat 

 and vetch hay. 



A well-balanced ration, though the value of the oat and vetch hay had to 

 be approximated. 



2. Ayrshires. Average weight of cows, 1,000 lbs. ; 4 lbs. bran, 2 lbs. peas, 

 2 lbs. oats, 1 lb. oil meal, 24 lbs. timothy and clover hay and 10 lbs roots. 



Also a fairly well-balanced ration, but it is probable that the quantity of 

 hay has been over-estimated, making the total organic matter too high. 



3. Grade Shorthorns and Jerseys. Average weight of cows, 900 lbs. ; 4 lbs» 

 oats, 1 lb. oil meal, 40 lbs. ensilage, 30 lbs. roots, with cut hay and straw. 



4. Grade Ayrshires. Average weight of cows, 1,000 lbs. ; 8 lbs. bran, & 

 lbs. corn and cob meal, 6 lbs. mixed peas, oats and barley, 20 lbs. corn fodder, 

 20 lbs. mangels, and all the hay and straw they will eat. 



5. Jerseys. Average weight of cows, 800 lbs. ; 9 lbs. bran, 1 lb. peas, 24 lbs. 

 ensilage, 6 lbs. hay, 10 lbs. straw, and 20 lbs. roots. 



Too high in organic matter and carbohydrates, but protein and fat satis- 

 factorj\ No doubt straw has been over-estimated. Reducing the quantity 

 of sttaw would narrow the ratio and make the ration very well-balanced. 



6. Grade natives. Average weight of cows, 950 lbs. ; 2^^ lbs. cotton seed 

 meal, 2i/^ lbs. linseed, 50 to 60 lbs. ensilage, and 4 to 5 lbs. hay. Sometimes- 

 meal ration is 2 lbs. cotton seed meal and 4 lbs. shorts. 



Estimated on basis of 2 lbs. cotton seed meal, 4 lbs. shorts, 50 lbs. ensilage 

 and 5 lbs. haj*. Too low in all constituents except fat, though nutritive ratio 

 is satisfactory. Slightly increasing the shorts, and adding a little clover hay, 

 would tend to remedy the fault. 



7. Ayrshires. Average weight of cows, 900 lbs. ; 8 lbs. mixed oats, peas, 

 barley and bran, in proportion of 6, 3, 3 and 1 ; 50 lbs. ensilage, 10 lbs. mixed 

 clover and " beaver-meadow " hay, with an occasional feed of straw and 

 roots. 



8. Jerseys. Average weight of cows, 750 lbs. ; 9 lbs. oats, GO lbs. ensilage,^ 

 6 lbs. hay, with what straw they will eat. 



No doubt there is some mistake here in estimating the quantities of 

 fodder, as the ration appears abnormal. 



9. Holsteins. Average weight of cows, 1,200 to 1,300 lbs.; Gibs, oats, 2 

 lbs. oil meal, 3 lbs. bran, 35 lbs. ensilage, 10 lbs. timothy and clover hay, S lbs. 

 oat and barley straw, 30 lbs. mangels and turnips. Bran is scalded and fed' 

 as slop. 



