CHAPTER XXII 

 FEEDING FOR MILK PRODUCTION (Continued) 



THE CALCULATION OF RATIONS, FEEDING HIGH-PRODUCING 

 COWS, DISCUSSION OF COMMON FEEDS 



A dairy cow uses feed for the following purposes : 



1. For maintaining the body. 



2. To supply the material for milk. 



3. For development of the fetus. 



4. For growth in case the animal is immature. 



5. At times to produce gain in weight. 



For each of these purposes three general classes of food 

 material are required. 



1. Protein or nitrogenous material. 



2. Carbohydrates and fat to supply the heat and energy. 



3. Ash or mineral matter. 



The main problem of feeding is to supply the proper amount 

 of the food material of the three classes in the least expensive 

 form. It is evident that the first step is to know what the 

 animal requires for food and how to prepare a ration that will 

 meet this demand. 



How a Chemist divides Feed. When a chemist makes 

 an analysis of any foodstuff, clover hay, for example, he 

 determines the amount of water, protein, ash, crude fiber, 

 nitrogen free extract, and fat the substance contains. 



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