Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-05-25
What and How to Feed for Butter.

RICH feed in abundance, is absolutely es-
sential to successful butter making. A
certain amount of food is required to sup
port the animal, ard if only that quantity
is given, it is idle to expect any return in
milk. A certain other amount goes to the
production of milk, and up to certain
point in every animal the production of
quantity takes precedence of quality. If
now, the cow can be induced to eat, and
will assimilate a largely increased quantity
of good food, the quality of the milk is
very greatly improved, and while the
amount of butter is increased, its quality is
also improved.
A tendency to lay on fat under high
feeding is generally thought Objectionable
in cows for dairy purposes. We do not,
however, view it in just that light. A
very strong tendency in that direction,
without any corresponding tendency to an
increase of milk and butter would, of
course, be Objectionable. The fat, stored
away, is the animals balance wheel. A
cold. stormy day, or any slight Interrupt
ton in the supply of food, affects the but
ter production in the case ola COW in low
condition, and if it be continued, it is pres
emily manifest in the decrease in the quanti-
ty of the milk, and lastly in the condition
of the animal.
1t is well known that winter butter is
almost always much inferior to summer.
This is natural result of the consumption
of the oleine or liquid fat of the butter to
keep up the animal heat, and if we would
counteract this effect and keep up the
quality of the product, we must increase
the supply of respiratory food.
Whatever tends to the production of fat
or heat, tends to the production of butter,
and whatever means may be employed to
lessen its waste, such as warming the feed
and water, and the stables, tends to the in
crease of butter.
Cows, in pastures with an abundant sup
ply of mixed grasses, free from foul weeds
and with plenty of good clean water to
drink, without having to travel far for it
or to suck it up from foul mud-hole, with
an occasional shade in which to lie and
chew their cud at their leisure, and a shed
or stable with a well-tilled rack to which
they can resort in stormy weather, are in
about as good situation to produce much
and very choice butter as they can well be
and the nearer to this condition they cal
be kept the better. Hence, if a droutl
prevails, or if for any other cause it il
thought best to supplement the feed, let i
be done in a manner, if possible, that they
may feel and believe that they are still
feeding on their delicious pasture grass
1t is not good policy to force upon them al
food, dry woody stalks of any thing, no
yet those half grown or watery articles
known as green fodder. Soiling crops fet
green, are for the most part good for tn,
production of large quantity of milk, bu
not a large quantity or good quality of but
ter If cured, or partially cured, they ar
very great help in short season. Earl,
cut and well cured meadow hay of goo,
quality, and well cured corn fodder CD
fine, favored with pulped roots, and season
ed with liberal supply of corn meal, ar
very good substitutes for pasture grass fo
summer and winter feeding. But what