138 DAIRY FARMING 



How much milk is each giving? If the farmer does not know, 

 arrangements can be made to have one student or the farmer weigh 

 the milk for one or two days. What mixture of grain is fed? 

 How much grain is each getting? If the farmer does not know 

 the weight of a day's feed, he can measure out what he is using 

 and this can be weighed. What does the grain mixture weigh per 

 quart? In the same way the amounts of silage and other feeds 

 may be obtained. Weigh each cow. Ask the farmer's opinion 

 as to which cows are gaining and which losing in flesh. Obtain 

 samples of milk for each cow, and test for fat. 



Calculate the amount of energy and protein for maintenance 

 of each cow, the amount necessary for milk production, and the 

 amount in the feed. The results may be summarized in a table like 

 the one shown on page 137. 



Does it seem probable that any one of the cows is not obtaining 

 enough protein or enough energy? Are there practical ways in 

 which the ration may be cheapened by using different feeds? It 

 may be that the farmer will be willing to experiment with increasing 

 or decreasing the feed or with using a different mixture. If he is 

 willing to do so, the results should be followed carefully. 



11. Raising Heifers. Obtain measurements of a number of 

 heifers, and compare with the results on page 122. 



COLLATERAL READING 



Computing Rations for Farm Animals by Use of Energy Values, 

 U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bulletin 346. 



Handling and Feeding Silage, U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bulletin 

 578. 



The Feeding of Farm Animals, U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bulle- 

 tin 22. 



Feeding Skim-milk Calves, U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bulletin 

 233, pp. 22-25. 



Feeds and Feeding, Henry and Morrison. 



Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, L. H. Bailey, Vol. Ill, pp. 

 56-118, 308, 310, 313-317. 



The Feeding of Animals, W. H. Jordan. 



Dairy Cattle and Milk Production, C. H. Eckles, pp. 254-294. 



