138 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



based on prices which may not obtain when this comes into the 



hands of the dairymen. As in the above table, I have taken 



corn as the standard and assumed that the nutrients other than 



protein, and an amount of protein equal to that in corn, are of 



the same value, pound for pound, as in corn. Only the excess 



of protein per ton over that in corn meal should account for the 



difference in price. Calculating the cost of excess protein in 



this way we have the following: 



Excess protein in corn at $22 per ton equals $ .00 per lb. 



" Oats " 28 " " " .32 



" Bran " 26 " " " .12 



" Gluten feed " 30 " " " .03 



" Oil meal "32 " " " .035 



" Cotton seed meal.." 31 " " " .024 



" Brewers' Grains ..." 25 " " " .054 



" Clover hay "12 " " " .000 



" Alfalfa hay " 18 " " " .048 



" Cowpea hay " 14 " " " .04 



This shows that at these prices protein can be obtained 

 cheapest in Cotton Seed Meal, and is most expensive in oats. 

 It must be remembered that if prices vary radically from these, 

 these relations will be changed. Neither should we take this 

 as an absolute guide in purchasing concentrates. The phy- 

 siological effect of the feed must also be taken into consideration. 

 Bran, Oats and Oil Meal among the concentrates, and alfalfa 

 and silage among the roughages, seem to be the best to keep the 

 animal in good condition. 



These three things should be kept in mind when selecting 

 feeds : Cost, based on nutrients contained ; protein needed, and 

 effect of feed. Bran and oil meal are "loosening," and go bet- 

 ter with corn meal, clover, corn stover, etc., while cotton seed 

 meal is "binding," and goes better with alfalfa, silage, and corn 

 meal. 



Each dairy section has its peculiarities, and no rules or 

 set of instructions will cover all cases. Each feeder must do 

 some thinking and figuring for himself if he gets the best results. 



C. C. Hayden, 

 College of Agriculture, University of Illinois. 



