CHAPTER XII 

 FOOD FOR MILCH COWS IN SUMMER 



In this chapter the discussion of the foods for milch 

 cows in summer includes the following: (i) Grazing 

 for cows; (2) Changing from the stables to the pas- 

 tures; (3) Feeding grain when on pasture; (4) Soiling 

 food for cows; (5) Ensilage for summer feeding; (6) 

 Feeding soiling food to cows; (7) From the pastures 

 to the stables; and (8) Carrying power of pastures. 



Grazing for cows. — Where suitable grazing can be 

 furnished it usually becomes a cheaper source of sup- 

 plying food nutrients than either soiling food, cured 

 fodders, or concentrates, since the element of labor in pre- 

 paring it for cows is almost entirely eliminated. Prom- 

 inent among the chief requisites in a pasture for cows 

 in milk are : Succulence, nutrition, palatability, con- 

 tinuity in growth through much of the season, and 

 abundant growth. The degree of succulence is much 

 influenced by the weather and the habits of growth in 

 the plants and, therefore, can only be partially con- 

 trolled. The nutrition is chiefly influenced by the in- 

 herent constitution of the plants, and the same is true 

 of the palatability, but the latter is also influenced by 

 the weather and the closeness of the grazing. All pas- 

 ture plants decrease much in palatability if allowed to 

 form seeds. 



Continuity in growth is determined in part by the 

 inherent characteristics of the pasture plants, by the 

 blending of these when laying down the pastures, by 

 the weather, and by the treatment of the pastures with 

 reference to grazing and fertilization. The abundance 

 in the growth present is determined by the producing 

 power of the land and the closeness of the grazing. It 



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