Feeding Dairy Cattle 

 the above mixtures rest are relative cost of digestible nutri- 

 ents, a good amount of high protein feeds and the rest 

 fattening feeds with a little oil meal as a conditioner. 



It is a common statement among the most progressive 

 dairymen that the grain fed at this time brings in the great- 

 est returns of any, and that means a larger, stronger calf, a 

 cow in stronger, better condition to stand the strain of 

 parturition and a good send-ofif into a new lactation and a 

 good high production, he fat on her back while dry, by a cow 

 of good dairy temperament, will all eventually return to the 

 milk pail, in that she will lose in weight during a period of 

 four or five weeks after calving and her milk will be richer 

 in fat during this period than it otherwise would. Both of 

 these facts are borne out by the results of careful 

 experiments at the Missouri Experiment Station. 



The amount of concentrates to be fed daily will depend 

 on the roughage. With a liberal supply of the best rough- 

 age, when grain is not exceedingly high, four pounds a day 

 should be fed. With valuable cows, when records are in 

 view, ten to twelve pounds would not be excessive. 



In conclusion, it may be interesting to note some of the 

 rations fed to dry cows in a country where the cows are just 

 "roughed" through the winter. Monrad says that in Norway 

 cows are often wintered on small farms on straw, birch leaves, 

 reindeer moss and horse dung, cooked and given as mash 

 with straw and leaves. Herring, fish offal and seaweed have 

 been used in the same way. The annual yield of milk under 

 such conditions was 1600 to 1800 pounds. The cow has 

 always responded wonderfully to every improvement in the 

 method of caring for and feeding her since these primitive 

 dairy methods were in operation. 



PERTINENT INFORMATION 



Criticism of purebred breeders, tending to show that they 

 milk large record cows but six months in a year, is unfounded. 



Two months is about the correct length of time that 

 cows should rest between lactation periods. 



The time when cows should freshen is dependent upon 

 the market for milk and the market for stock. 



A little attention in time of breeding will enable a breeder 

 to keep the amount of milk produced daily uniform through 

 the year. 



All cows should be dried ofif gradually. 



Leguminous roughage should have a large place in the 

 ration of dry cows. It furnishes lime in a form easily 

 assimilated. 



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