47 



No standard of feeding can be blindly followed, and it may be quite 

 possible that some of the suggestions offered above will prove impracticable 

 for the dairyman using the ration. A farmer must make the best possible 

 use of the fodders at his disposal, and he may sometimes find that it pays 

 him better to use a comparatively poorly-balanced ration, rather than sell 

 the grain he has on hand in order to purchase fodders with which to form a 

 balanced ration. The suggestions and criticisms, therefore, may be taken for 

 what they are worth, as they are intended merely as helps to those who may 

 decide to copy any of the rations mentioned. Considerable variety is offered, 

 and a study of the table, in connection with the study of the rations repre- 

 sented therein, w^ill be a help in making an intelligent selection. 



Another very important point must not be overlooked. Feeding is only 

 one side of the question, and, though it may do much, it cannot do all. The 

 value returned for the food consumed depends upon the cow, and a good cow 

 fed upon a poorly-balanced ration will do better for her owner than a poor 

 cow fed in the most scientific manner. Feeding, breeding and weeding are 

 inseparably connected in the successful maintenance and improvement of a 

 dairy herd. 



RATIONS FOR DAIRY COWS. 



(From Wisconsin Bulletin 33.) 



We are constantly receiving letters from farmers asking for advice in 

 regard to the proper kinds of feeds for milch cows, and how to combine them 

 so as to obtain first-class results. 



The following daily ration may be considered a standard American ration 

 for milch cows, in full flow of milk, weighing about 1,000 lbs. Being 

 founded on practical American feeding experience, its adoption is recom- 

 mended as a basis for calculation of rations for milch cows under our condi- 

 tions in preference to Wolff's standard ration, now generally used. 



Applying our best knowledge on the subject to the conditions present in 

 our State, we further believe that the following six rations are worthy of 

 trial. It is presumed that they will meet the wants of our farmers, and that 

 with the right kind of cows good results will follow their feeding. Of 

 course, no practical dairyman can weigh out the several constituents of a 

 ration each day for each animal in the herd. Let him use the scales in 

 determining what certain measures hold, and use these for distributing the 

 food among the members of the herd. 



