CHAPTER XXI 

 FEEDING FOR MILK PRODUCTION 1 



THERE are two factors which largely control the economical 

 production of milk. One is the adaptability of the cow used 

 for this purpose, and depends upon her individual and breed 

 characteristics. The other is the amount and kind of food 

 eaten. The problem confronting the dairyman is the pro- 

 duction of the largest amount of milk and butter at the least 

 expense. In order that this may be realized, both the impor- 

 tant factors mentioned must receive careful attention. 



In most cases the largest direct expense is for feed. Every 

 one familiar with the prevailing conditions knows a large 

 amount of feed is used without producing the returns it should. 

 It would be safe to say that the average yearly milk produc- 

 tion per cow could be increased one half or three fourths by 

 following better methods of feeding. 



Turning on Pasture in the Spring. Every owner of a cow 

 welcomes the time when the animal can be turned out to pas- 

 ture. Not only is the labor and expense connected with 

 winter feeding done away with, but each cow is expected to 

 the best results of the year on grass. In changing from 



1 The author does not attempt to give more than a brief outline of this 

 subject, and that mostly from the standpoint of practical feeding. The 

 reader is referred to Feeds and Feeding, by Henry; The Feeding of Farm 

 Animals, by Jordan ; The Principles of Animal Nutrition, by Armsby ; and 

 the Ernahrung der Landwirtschaftlichen Nutzthiere, by Kellner, for more ex- 

 tended discussions of the subject. 



254 



