204 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



The feed during the dry period should be high in min- 

 erals, especially calcium (lime), since it has been shown by 

 investigations at several experiment stations that this is the 

 element most likely to be depleted. Good pasture in the 

 summer and properly cured leguminous hay in the winter 

 will supply this calcium. Considerable protein is required 

 for the development of the fetus. For this reason and be- 

 cause most of the high-protein feeds such as the oil meals 

 are likewise rich in phosphorus, which is used along with 

 the calcium in storing up minerals in the animal body, the 

 ration should contain considerable protein. The quantity 

 of feed supplied should be sufficient to bring the cow to a 

 proper state of flesh at calving time. 



Drying Off 



Most cows can be dried off by merely lessening grad- 

 ually the frequency of milking. That is, first miss one milk- 

 ing, then miss two, then three, etc. When the daily produc- 

 tion is only 6 or 8 pounds milking may be stopped entirely. 

 The udder of the cow should then be let alone and nothing 

 done to stimulate the secretion of milk. It is probably best 

 after several days to draw out the milk that has accum- 

 ulated, though the necessity for this has never been proved, 

 as this milk will be absorbed in a short time. With persistent 

 producers it is often necessary to reduce the allowance of 

 feed, especially grain. With any cow the time required for 

 drying off may be shortened by withholding a portion of 

 the feed. 



THE FRESH COW 



Care at Calving Time 



In handling dry cows that are heavy with calf care 

 should be taken to prevent injury by slipping on stable 

 lioors or ice, by two or more cows crowding through door- 

 ways, and by pregnant cows mounting other cows that may 

 be in heat. All cows in heat should be confined, or at least 

 separated from the cows that are heavily pregnant. In other 

 particulars the pregnant cow can be handled like the rest 

 of the herd. 



