DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



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quantities in alfalfa hay, red clover hay, sweet clover hay, cowpea hay, soy- 

 bean hay and Spanish peanut hay. Protein is needed, not only for the 

 cheese or milk, but in making the lean meat, the muscle, bone, hide, hair, 

 etc. It will be noted that protein is an essential element in the growth and 

 development of all young animals. That class of grain feeds highest in 

 digestible protein, is best exemplified by cowpea or soybean meal in so far 

 as the products of the farm are concerned. In the case of purchasable 

 feeds they are, best exemplified by linseed meal, cottonseed meal and wheat 

 bran. . , / > ' 



The other essential of feeds is that known as carbohydrates, which sup- 

 ply the fat of the body and the heat necessary to keep the body warm. 

 This class of feed is exemplified by our corn fodder, cane, kafir, milo,, and 

 f eterita fodder, timothy and prairie hay, wheat straw, and such class of 

 feeds. The grain rich in carbohydrates and corresponding with the last 

 named roughages; are corn chop, corn and cob meal, kafir, milo, f eterita 

 meal, etc. >!"'. .. . . , . -: v 



The roughages rich in carbohydrates carry sufficient protein to keep 

 life in. the animal body, but they do not permit growth or the production of 

 milk. The roughages rich in protein carry carbohydrates in considerable 

 quantities. Protein and carbohydrates are in these combined in proportions 

 which permit of growth in the young animal and milk, in the cow. This is 

 the reason farm animals "do better," as we say, on alfalfa hay than on 

 cane fodder — rwhen each is fed alone. If carbohydrates alone, were fed, the 

 animal would soon die. If protein alone were fed, the. animal would finally 

 die. 



Of the roughages rich in carbohydrates as above named, it is abso- 

 lutely impossible for the cow to consume a sufficient quantity to obtain the 

 protein necessary for the production of milk in liberal quantities, or in 

 most instances even to the capacity of the cow. Consequently it (becomes 

 necessary to supply the cow with a portion of her ration either in the form 

 of hays rich in protein belonging to the first class named, or through grains 

 or concentrates rich in protein. For instance, if the only roughage on the 

 farm is corn fodder or cane or kafir fodder, it would be necessary to supply 

 the protein either through cowpea or soybean meal, which can be produced 

 on the farm, or through linseed or cottonseed meal which, of the purchasable 

 feeds, will supply the needed protein at less cost than any other we might 

 mention. 



If, on the other hand, the principal roughage can be alfalfa hay, red 

 clover hay, cowpea or soybean hay, then the ration can be completed with 

 a grain feed of ground corn, corn and cob meal, kafir, or milo meal, or any 

 other meals of the common farm grown crops. For instance, if the rough- 

 age is red clover or alfalfa hay of such quantity as the cow can consume, 

 a ration of ground corn, corn and cob meal, kafir or milo, will supply the 

 necessary nutrients for a good milk flow. 



An element of feeding which must be taken into consideration is that 

 •of palatability and succulence. The animal will thrive and the cow will give 

 milk only when the ration is palatable. A ration may be properly balanced 



