Feeding Dairy Cattle 



lengthening the period between milkings. When she pro- 

 duces ten pounds per day or less milking may be entirely 

 discontinued with safety, although the cow must be carefully 

 watched to see that the milk becomes re-absorbed. 



After the cow is dry she should be fed liberally on rough- 

 age. Alfalfa hay and corn silage are good at this time. 

 Scientists, notably Forbes of Ohio, are beginning to study 

 carefully the amount of the different minerals removed in 

 the milk. The amount of lime is particularly large and the 

 ration fed during the lactation period does not seem to sup- 

 ply enovigh lime in such a form that it can be easily assimi- 

 lated. Therefore more lime is removed in the milk than is 

 assimilated from the feed during a given lactation period. 

 This lime can only come from the skeleton of the animal. 

 She must restore this amount while dr}-. This, then, is one 

 very important reason for feeding leguminous roughage. 

 Legumes furnish a large amount of lime in a form more 

 easily assimilated. 



Succulent feed is important at this time, as at all times, in 

 feeding dairy cattle. It is healthful, cooling, and keeps the 

 animal in the very best condition. 



The grain ration may be made up from various feeds. 

 Variety is not so important nor is bulk at this time. The 

 mixture may be made from any feeds fattening in nature, for 

 the aim now is good health and vigor and some added fat. 

 The author has used the following mixture of concentrates 

 most successfully in feeding dry cows : 

 600 pounds hominy feed 

 600 pounds ground oats 

 600 pounds wheat bran 

 200 pounds linseed oil meal 



This mixture will put the cows in first-class physical con- 

 dition and will insure proper growth of the foetus. Another 

 mixture used for two-year-old heifers soon due to freshen 

 for the first time, and to dry mature cows, was: 



500 pounds gluten feed 

 500 pounds ground oats 

 500 pounds hominy feed 

 400 pounds wheat bran 

 100 pounds oil meal 



Oil meal, though usually relatively expensive, is particu- 

 larly valuable at this time to put the cows in good condition. 

 The exact makeup of the mixture will depend, as so often 

 said in this series of articles, on the feeds available at home 

 and the relative cost of total digestible nutrients in those con- 

 centrates that must be purchased. The principles on which 



Page One Hundred Two 



