156 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



may be made from corn, sorghum, clover, alfalfa, cowpeas, etc., 

 but corn is by far the best for this purpose. There have been 

 many complaints and objections to its use in the past, but these 

 are rapidly disappearing. The condensing companies which 

 have been opposed to it are now permitting and even encourag- 

 ing its use. Most of the other complaints come from places 

 where it is used for the first time. This is usually due to cutting 

 the corn too green or to improper filling of the silo. Too green 

 corn makes a sour silage, which if fed in too large quantities 

 causes indigestion and scours. (For method of making see Bul- 

 letin 101.) Beginners often are dissatisfied because they have 

 expected too much from its use. It must be remembered that it 

 is not a balanced ration and cannot be used alone, nor should 

 it be used with grain only, but with a liberal allowance of some 

 dry roughage. Ordinarily not more than 30 to 40 pounds should 

 be fed regularly to each cow daily unless she is a very large 

 cow. 



Mangel. — This crop is used in certain localities and is very 

 good feed. It can be grown with less labor than other root crops 

 and the yields are good, but is not as rich in nutrients as some 

 other roots. Where root crops are used for winter feeding it is 

 almost necessary to have a roo^t cellar, and they can well take the 

 place of silage in the ration. The greatest objection to mangels 

 and all root crops is the great cost of labor in their production. 



Sugar Beet. — This makes an excellent dairy feed and is 

 highly prized by some breeders for feeding when making offi- 

 cial records. There is a belief on the part of some persons that 

 it temporarily increases the per cent of fat in the milk. Where 

 the soil is adapted to the growth of sugar beets they yield well. 



The above are the three succulent feeds which can be de- 

 pended on in Illinois and silage is by far the best of these be- 

 cause of the lower cost of production and ease of handling. 



Purchased Feeds. 



What feeds should be purchased to feed with those grown 

 on the farm? This opens a question which we will not be able 

 to discuss fully. Speaking generally, only those feeds should 



