1920.] 



Feeding Stuffs in December. 



883 



FEEDING STUFFS IN DECEMBER. 



E. T. Halnan, M.A., Dip. x\gric. (Cantab.), 



Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, 

 Formerly Physiologist, Animal Nutrition Institute, Cambridge. 



As notified in the November issue of this Journai-, the pre- 

 paration of these notes ivill in future be undertaken by the 

 Intelligence Department of the Ministry. Mr. Hainan has 

 for the past eight years worked in close association with 

 Professor Wood at the Animal Nutrition Institute, Cam- 

 bridge, on questions affecting Animal Nutrition, and in the 

 future preparation of these notes ivill maintain close contact 

 with Professor Wood, and the results obtained at Cambridge. 

 Criticisms of the notes published, and suggestions for their 

 improvement, will be welcomed. 



Prices of feeding stuffs have eased somewhat during the past 

 month, maize, beans, peas, imported feeding barley, ground 

 nut and common cotton cake all showing a decline in price. 

 A few feeding stuffs have firmed in price, and reports indicate 

 that the decline in the price of commodities foreshadowed in 

 last month's notes is not likely to be followed at all closely 

 by a corresponding decline in the prices of feeding stuffs. 



Wet grains, from the price standpoint, are still the 

 cheapest feeding stuff' on the market. The advantage to be 

 gained by using wet grains is not as marked as the price would 

 indicate, in view of the bulky nature and waste in feeding. 

 In this connection, several correspondents have inquired 

 whether it is possible to store wet grains. This practice is 

 common in Kent, and can be carried out with advantage 

 wherever the farm is provided with pits or vats for storage. 

 The grains are trodden well down when filling the pit, and 

 in some cases a slight sprinkling of salt is scattered over the 

 surface layer at foot intervals. The pits must be protected 

 from rain. Grains thus stored will keep wholesome for months. 

 It is desirable to have two pits, if possible, so that when feeding 

 from one pit the other pit may be ready for filling with fresh 

 grains. Feeding commences from the top of the pit and 

 proceeds until the pit is completely empty. It is then ready 

 for re-filling. 



Among the oil cakes, palm kernel cake and coconut cakes 

 form the cheapest feeding stuffs on the market. These cakes 

 are particularly suitable for feeding to dairy cows. 



