36 



CONKEY'S STOCK BOOK 



A rich legume will take the place of half the usual expensive concen- 

 trate, provided corn silage and roots are included. Prof. Henry estimates 

 on this basis that about 6 Ibs. of concentrates would be enough for the 

 average dairy ration daily. 



Start in once more and read the above all over again; for it gives you 

 the very cream of modern scientific conclusions on dairy feeding. 



IN WINTER You see, the dairy cow must have lots of protein. If in full 

 milk she needs nearly 2 Ibs. of digestible protein per day; 

 but instead of purchasing such feed as bran, shorts, oatmeal, gluten meal, 

 etc., give her common farm feeds like clover, alfalfa, cow peas, and oats; 

 all of which are rich in protein, and easy to grow on the farm. Add to this 

 corn silage. If your silage is heavily eared, you can even dispense with 

 grain, and will get nicely through the winter. Well cured clover or alfalfa 

 hay is about the best bulky feed to give during the winter. Timothy, of 

 course, doesn't contain enough protein for good milk yield. Remember 

 that roots, mangels, turnips, pumpkins and other green vegetables will help 

 out on the milk production, and keep the cows happy. 



IN SUMMER In summer you have your pastures; but grow corn and 

 other crops in summer for green feeding when pastures 

 are short then you won't lose out on your milk contracts; for such crops 

 make well balanced feed and are available on the farm from May to October. 

 One man by cropping all his land, cutting out all pasture and soiling the 

 crops, that is cutting and bringing them to the barnyard for feeding, just 

 about doubled the number of cows he could provide with acreage, of 

 course doubling the size of his dairy. This is getting to be quite the favored 

 method in dairying, cutting down pastures, but raising green crops and 

 bringing these to the barnyard or feed lot (called the "soiling" system) 

 right to the animals. Of course there is more labor, (you'll need an extra 

 farm hand), but with a larger herd, more home grown feed and little to 

 buy, that extra cost for labor is drowned out in the milk pail. On the 

 soiling system with no pasture, each cow consumes from 75 to 100 Ibs. of 

 forage daily. 



THE MODERN SILO Don't neglect the silo. Every dairy farm should 

 have one. Concrete is best, but staves will do 



when fitted air-tight and strongly hooped together. You can estimate 

 the size you need by remembering that well settled silage counts 45 Ibs. 

 to the cubic foot. The cost of silage varies from 

 $1 to $2 a ton, it shouldn't go over that. This is 

 where you save money over and over again, and 

 at the same time make money on increased milk 

 production. So don't neglect the silo. If you 

 haven't one, build it next summer and pack it 

 completely. A round silo is best, as it gives the 

 greatest capacity for the least area and building 

 material, and there are no corners for the silage 

 to spoil in. Make it 30 ft. high, if possible, and 

 never under 20 ft., for height increases the pres- 

 sure, and the silage will keep better. Feed at least 

 2 ins. from the top surface every day. Estimate 5 Building a Stave Silo 



sq. ft. (2 ins. deep) to each cow. Thus a herd of 20 



would need a feeding surface of 100 sq. ft., that is, a 12 ft. diameter silo. 

 Don't have too large a diameter, or you will lose a good deal of silage 

 through molding. Better have two small silos than one too large in diameter, 



