THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION 147 



FEEDING DAIRY COWS. 



Prof. C. C. Hayden, University of Illinois. 



In the production of milk there are four factors which are 

 of prime economic importance. 



1. Cows must be secured which are capable of producing 

 large quantities of milk and butter fat. 



2. These cows must be properly housed and cared for. 



3. There must be a feeder who has good judgment. 



4. Sufficient food of the proper quality must be supplied. 

 The last is equal in importance to the first. 



The best way to obtain good cows is by careful selection 

 and breeding of animals from one of the recognized dairy breeds 

 or their grades. "Scrub" cows have no place in profitable milk 

 production. On the other hand, no matter how carefully cows 

 are selected nor how well bred, if poorly fed, they will give little 

 better returns than "scrubs." 



To become a good feeder requires a knowledge of the needs 

 of the dairy cow and of the nature of different feeds. This means 

 that the man, who is to become a successful feeder, must be will- 

 ing to spend time and energy in studying the details of these sub- 

 jects. The cow is a business partner not easily defrauded. If 

 she is the right kind of cow, supplied with the proper materials, 

 she will return a just amount of product, and if proper feed 

 and care are withheld, she will withhold the desired product. 

 Food of the right kind and amount is absolutely necessary to 

 any considerable degree of production. 



The question most commonly asked is, "What is the best feed 

 for dairy cows?" This question may seem simple and easy to 

 answer, but it is really quite difficult. No definite short rule 

 can be given which will serve as a guide under all conditions, 

 nor can a ration be given which will apply in all cases. There- 

 fore, the best we can do is to put into the hands of the feeder the 

 methods whereby he can work out these problems for himself, 



