FEEDING FOR MILK PRODUCTION 29 



before August 1, and something is often needed earlier. 

 Sweet corn is a good feed, but does not yield heavily. Second- 

 growth clover, millet, or alfalfa can be used if available. 

 After August 1, in the corn belt, corn and sorghum are the best 

 crops for supplementing pastures. 



Sorghum yields immense crops, and if a surplus is on hand 

 it may be made into hay profitably. A yield of from 15 to 25 

 tons of green sorghum per acre is not unusual on good 

 land. 



Green crops fed as a supplement to pasture may be fed in 

 the pasture or in the barn lot, but as a rule are fed most eco- 

 nomically in the barn. The cows remain inside long enough 

 at milking time to eat their portions. 



As a rule the most economical method of supplying feed to 

 help out the short pastures of midsummer and fall is to feed 

 corn silage. Silage will keep in good condition for summer 

 feeding, with no loss except on the surface. If it is not needed 

 during the summer, it may be covered with the new silage and 

 kept until wanted. Corn furnishes a larger yield of dry mat- 

 ter per acre than any crop that can be ordinarily grown for 

 summer feeding, and has the further advantage of being on 

 hand as early as wanted when in the form of silage. 



It is handled more economically also than soiling crops, 

 since it is cut all at once, and not everyday, as is necessary with 

 soiling crops. 



The great problem in winter feeding, as already stated, is, 

 in general, to maintain the conditions of early summer. It is 

 entirely feasible to maintain practically these summer con- 

 ditions throughout the entire winter on any farm when the 

 subject is properly understood and the necessary arrange- 

 ments made. 



