MANURE AN INDEX IN FEEDING 159 



As the body fat disappeared the percentage amount of fat in 

 the milk lowered until as the cow, after a period of a few months, 

 reached her lean working level, the percentage of fat in the milk 

 had dropped gradually to about 3.25 per cent. The Holstein 

 cow, Missouri Chief Josephine, averaged a test of 4.04 per 

 cent fat during her seven-day record, but fell to only 2.81 per 

 cent as an average for the year. Feeding during record making 

 is discussed in Chapter XXIII. To prepare the cow to make 

 the largest seven-day or thirty-day or yearly records, therefore, it 

 is essential that she be given a rest period sufficient for thorough 

 recuperation, even to become moderately well covered with fat. 



A caution here is due. If the high-milking cow is fed grain 

 up too close to her calving time there is danger of inflammation 

 of the udder. This is particularly the case if corn forms a 

 large part of the grain ration. All grain should be withheld 

 several days prior to calving, and succulent roughage, as com 

 silage or roots, be fed in moderation. This is done in order that 

 her system shall not contain too much feed material and that her 

 bowels shall be loose at the time of the birth of the calf. 



Manure an Index in Feeding. — Any careful herdsman of 

 cows, horses, or other stock, will notice the condition and odor 

 of the manure. If too hard the animals need some loosening 

 feed, if too loose, some dry feed will usually help. The odor 

 should also be noted. If it has a strong, rotten odor, evidence 

 is ample that the animal is out of condition, most likely from 

 over-feeding, and is not digesting her feed. Such putrid odor 

 indicates that the whole system of the cow is being poisoned. In 

 such a case a good dose of physic to clean out the fermenting 

 matter should first be given and followed by a lessened amount 

 of feed. Undigested kernels of grain usually call for finer 

 grinding of the grain feed. 



Milking Before Calving. — Occasionally it is necessary to 

 milk the cow partially before the calf is delivered. This should 

 not be done, however, unless the udder becomes severely distended 

 and painful, and then in quantity only sufficient to relieve the 

 stress. Most cows do not require this precaution. With high- 



