ECONOMIC FEEDING OF DAIRY COWS. 69 



in the composition of the ration. Succulent feed such as roots and silage 

 is greatly relished and stimulates the appetite and the flow of milk. It 

 also aids digestion by keeping the cow in better physical tone. 



ORDER OF FEEDING. It is of great importance that strict regularity 

 should be observed both in feeding and in milking, in order to secure the 

 greatest degree of contentment in the herd. If cows are fed at stated in- 

 tervals they will not be worrying for food until the time for feeding arrives, 

 and if it is then given to them in proper quantity they will eat it and then 

 lie down, chew the cud, and sleep or rest contentedly until the time for an- 

 other meal. First give the grain mixture, and milk while they are eating 

 it. This routine is recommended because with some cows the milk comes 

 more freely while they are eating that portion of their ration which has 

 the most relish. Cured roughage should be fed after milking because it 

 fills the air in the barn or stable with dust. Succulent food, like silage and 

 roots, should also be fed after milking because of the odor that it gives out. 

 Feeding twice a day will bring better returns than more frequent and waste- 

 ful feeding. Give half the concentrates and half the roughage in the morn- 

 ing and half in the evening. Cows will soon become accustomed to this 

 routine. In the winter they should be allowed to spend the day in the stall, 

 and for two or three hours during mid-day they should not be disturbed. 

 Turning them out into a yard or giving them access to a straw stack or 

 field of corn stalks will cause them to shrink in milk no matter how much 

 or how well they may be fed in the morning and evening. No more food 

 should be given than they will eat up clean. The mangers should be 

 absolutely clean and free from any food during the day and night. 

 FORMULATING RATIONS. 



Having the table showing the dry matter and the digestible nutrients 

 in 100 pounds of American feed stuffs given by Professor Henry in a pre- 

 ceding chapter, the feeding standards and the modifications suggested in 

 the feeding experiment reviewed, and the general suggestions offered in 

 regard to feeding practice, we are prepared to take up the details in formu- 

 lating rations adapted to the work a cow is expected to do. 



As an example, let us assume that we are to prepare a ration for a cow 

 weighing 1,000 pounds and giving 10 pounds of milk daily, and that we 

 have on hand clover hay, fodder corn, corn and barley. The first question 

 that presents itself is how much of each of the three nutrients must be pro- 

 vided for the production of the milk and maintenance of the body. It has 

 been shown that cows use .05 of a pound of protein to a pound of average 



milk. , Digestible > 



Carbo- 

 Protein hydrates Fat 



For 1 pound of milk 05 .22 .017 



For 10 pounds of milk 50 2.20 .17 



For food of maintenance . . 70 7 .00 . 10 



Nutrients needed in the ration . ... 1 .20 9 .20 .27 



