88 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



for milk production than in America. They have to depend 

 largely on roots for their succulent food. The climatic condi- 

 tion of the various countries of Europe seems to be particularly 

 adapted to the growth of different kinds of roots. Silos are not' 

 used in European countries. 



Comfort of Animals 



European dairymen give more attention than we do to the 

 comfort of their animals, such as protecting them from storms. 

 Wliile they maintain that we do not adhere strictly to a balanced 

 ration, yet their feeding is well balanced up. They feed their 

 cows a great many times daily. Here is one extreme ration fed 

 l)y a prominent Scotch dairyman : 



5 :oo a. m. — 2 lbs. oat straw for all cows. 

 6:30 a. m. — 20 lbs. turnips for all cows. 

 8 :oo a. m. — 5 lbs. meal for cows in full milk. 

 1 1 :30 a. m. — Second feed of 20 lbs. turnips. 

 12:00 m. — 2 lbs. straw for all cows. 



5 130 p. m. — Additional 5 pounds meal for cows giving 

 large flow of milk and 2 pounds of Bibby's Cake. (This is a 

 special cake prepared for dairy cows). 



6 :oo p. m. — 6 pounds straw for all cows. 



This is the feed for a day. Of course cows are always left 

 out for an hour or so to get water and exercise. 



All great Scotch dairymen feed a warm mash to their cows 

 during the winter months. While oat straw and turnips seems 

 to be their principal feed, a certain amount of concentrates is also 

 fed in nearly every case. 



It is quite a common thing in both Scotland and England 

 to feed from 40 to 60 pounds of turnips or roots per cow daily : 

 thus their cows get a lot of succulent food. In my judgment 

 feeding two or three times daily at stated periods, will give 

 equally as good results as the extreme feeding. 



A prominent Scotch breeder of dairy cattle said to me that 

 he considered that the American dairymen had the advantage 

 of their people as feed could be produced more cheaply in Amer- 

 ica than in Europe. In addition to this he said he considered our 

 ensilage a superior food for milk production, to their roots. Iv. 



