106 DAIRY FARMING 



and bran are the same price per pound, corn is by far the 

 cheaper feed. With bran at $20 per ton, a therm of energy 

 costs 2.07 cents, while in corn at $26 per ton the same energy 

 costs only 1.46 cents. When planning the ration to be pur- 

 chased, or even the crop to be grown in some cases, it is well 

 to make such calculations as suggested and determine which 

 are the cheapest feedstuffs under the existing conditions. 



DISCUSSION OF COMMON FEEDSTUFFS 

 No particular feed or combination of feeds is essential for 

 the most economical production of milk. The first consider- 

 ation is to grow the most suitable crops on the farm in order 

 that the amount purchased may be as small as possible 

 without reducing the efficiency of the ration. In the brief 

 discussion which follows, only the most common feedstuffs 

 are considered. 



94. Timothy Hay. The value of this hay as a feed for 

 dairy cows is often greatly overestimated. It is unpalatable 

 except when cut early and therefore will not be consumed 

 in sufficient quantities. The most serious objection is the 

 low protein content. 



95. Corn Stover. This is the name applied to dried corn 

 stalks from which the ears have been removed. It may be 

 utilized to a small extent. It has the same characteristics 

 and objections as timothy hay, and cannot be depended upon 

 for more than a part of the roughage. 



96. Hay from Legumes. Hay of this class is especially 

 valuable for the dairy cow. It includes the common clovers, 

 alfalfa, the cowpea, soybean, field pea, and other less com- 

 mon legumes, such as vetch and crimson clover. Forage 

 from this class of plants when properly cured is highly 

 palatable, and contains a relatively large amount of protein. 



