Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-25
Feeding Grain to Dairy Cows.

Feeding Grain to Dairy Cows.
The question often mooted, " Does it pay
to feed grain TO cows in milk 2" We have
heard it discussed for a whole day in an az
rioultural meeting and as we sat at the re-
porters table, taking down the words Of the
speakers, it came to us forcibly how much i,
lost in all such discussions for want of a
clear understanding of the question, to be-
gin with. For it was plain that, as stated
the question was too broad. 1t was like
asking, Does it pay to raise potatoes ?" 1t
may, or it may not, according to circum-
stances; aud people may discuss such
question forever, without any definite results.
One thing all dairymen will admit-that
the profit of dairying consists OF the surplus
in hand after paying for the keep of the
cows, the cost of labor, and the interest on
the invested capital. One difficulty in get
ting at the real profit of any dairy is, that
very few farmers have any exact knowledge
in regard TO the cost of keep, or of labor
and consequently have only very vague
idea as to whether their diaries pay any
thing, and if anything, how much. Under
such circumstances, how can any farmer
and least of all one has never tried but one
way-be qualified to discuss the subject
Yet we have heard the most positive express
sion of opinion given by just such men. In
the last discussion of the kind which we at
tended, little questioning brought out the
fact that the only man, out of ten or dozen
who took part in the argument, who had any
figures to produce in confirmation of his
views, was the one who fed his cows the
most grain and he was able to show a very
satisfactory profit.
Suppose the question to be stated in this
way" Under what circumstances will it
pay a dairyman in this state or county, or
town, TO feed grain to his cows ?" Then
suppose the disputants TO come prepared
with the figures to show the results of their
trials of one or more ways OF feeding-and
we might look for some practical value to
spring out of the discussion. The actual re.
suit in each case would be found to depend
we think, first, upon the goodness of the
cows. II herd is so inferior than no guam
tity or quality of feed would force the aver
age annual butter yield above one hundred
and twenty-five pounds per COW, and they
would yield that quantity on the ordinary
grass and hay feedo the farm where they
were kept, then it is plain that it would not
pay in that dairy to feed grain.
But, second, suppose it is found that tn
herd is of such equality that it can be mad,
to increase its yield, by better feeding
Does it follow that even then it would pa,
to feed grain Night it not be that some
cheaper feed would bring the herd to its
highest yield ? BY improving the pasture
by growing some green crop to feed in dry
time, by cutting the hay earlier, by not dog
ging the cows, by having better aud warme
stables, by feeding more or less green feed
such as roots, in winter, might not his hero
be pushed to its fullest capacity =? If so
then plainly it would not pay to feed then
grain.
But again, thirdly, suppose by careful
breeding, purchase and selection, herd i
got together 80 superior in milking qualit,
that, after every practical improvement ha
been carried out in the matters of care ant
handling, and all practicable improS ement i
made in the feeding, without grain, it i
still evident or possible that the herd is no
doing its best-what should prevent tn,
ambitious dairyman from tying whether
ration of grain, in some form, would no
give additional yield without injury to tn,
cows, and with profit to the owner ?
Here comes in another element to be con
sidered--cdn arc, with perfect pasturage, o
with good pasturage and green feed, an,
early cut hay, and warm stables, and roots
and skillful handling, develop the productiv
capacity of the best herd of dairy cows t,
its highest profitable point ? Many expert
cnced men will say il can be done. Thel
we have TO ascertain (allowing that every
thing in the way of yield is possible Of at
tainment under this system) whether, never
theless, mere profit might not be made, il
many cases, by substituting grain for par
OF the hay, or for the green feed in summer
or for the roots These are all legitimat
problems for experiment, and must b,
worked out practically by each individual
according to his opportunities and his prac
teal skill and ability.
We think it will be apparent to the intel
ligent reader that the question, even whel
brought within the much narrower limit
we have given 10 it, is still one that doe
not admit OF single, definite answer Thu
quality of farms, the markets, the relatiy,
prices of grain and grass at any particula
place, or at any particular time, must b.
taken into account, before a decision can b,
reached. But one thing we think is sure
as Mr.. Beecher is reported TO have said h
thought 1t no sin to let fast horse go fast, 81
II Is good economy TO feed good COW well
There is another point in connection will
the subject that it might be well to mention
There are dairymen who are feeding larg
amounts Of Western grain to their COW
quite as much for the manure as the milk
Though they believe they are more thai
getting their money back in an increase
butter product, they still look with most sal
isfaction and hope Of ultimate profit {
their larger and much richer manure piles
which, used as a top-dressing for moving
and pastures, they expect will enable ther
TO increase the number Of cows they ca
carry from year to year. This attempt /
arrest some Of the prairie fertility in its wa
across and out Of the country, and over sci
Is in our Judgment worthy one, and likel,
In judicious bands, TO be profitable. Bu
not 10 men whose manure stands for 81