FOOD FOR MiLCII COWS IN WINTER 279 



In the states with Illinois and Missouri as a center, 

 and in all those states which border on them, one of the 

 most economical rations is corn silage and clover or 

 alfalfa hay for roughage. These states grow corn 

 abundantly, hence the silage has, in many instances, a 

 large proportion of corn in it. The necessity, therefore, 

 for heavy grain feeding is so far reduced. The concen- 

 trate high in favor is corn, cottonseed, and gluten meal, 

 in the proportions of 2, i, and i parts. In these states 

 the feeding of protein concentrates in the forms named 

 will probably grow less, as they will be more and more 

 supplanted by protein furnished by cowpeas and soy 

 beans. 



In the mountain states southward from Montana 

 and Oregon and westward to the Pacific, alfalfa and 

 clover, chiefly the former, furnish the roughage given. 

 The concentrate fed is more commonly corn meal 

 shipped in, as barley grown in practically rainless sum- 

 mers is worth more for malting, but, in some instances, 

 both are fed. The quantity given for prolonged feed- 

 ing is seldom more than 6 pounds daily, and when sugar 

 beets or pulp are fed, as they are in many instances, the 

 meal may be further reduced. 



In the states which border on the Gulf of Mexico, 

 from 30 to 40 pounds of sorghum or corn ensilage are 

 fed in many instances for roughage, but this food is 

 frequently supplemented with pasture. The concen- 

 trate fed is cottonseed meal and wheat or rice bran, in 

 equal parts by weight. When corn meal is not too dear, 

 a favorite concentrate is a mixture of cottonseed meal, 

 ground corn and wheat bran, or rice meal in the propor- 

 tions of 2, I, and I parts by weight. 



