River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-01-31
ECONOMY IN FEEDING.
Various Ways in which Owners Of stock
Can Save Money.

Not every farmer attaches the proper
moaning to feed with economy. The
idea with some, judging from the APP
pearance of their cattle is that econo-
my consists in getting their stock
through the winter on the least food
possible without regard to their
growth meantime or their condition in
the spring The few dollars saved in
the quantity of food consumed may be
lost many times over by this method.
for it is much less expensive, as has
often been stated heretofore, TO pre-
serve the flesh that has been put on,
than to replace the weight after it has
been lost for lack Of sufficient food
and care. Some regard it as economy
TO leave the stock to depend
on what can be got from the
meadows for weeks, after heavy
frosts have taken nourtshment
from the grass and cut short
its growth. This is poor economy in
two ways, for not only does the stock
lose flesh, but the meadows are injured
by having the grass eaten off so close
that the roots are unprotected during
the winter, and having been injured,
the next seasons yield is reduced.
There is more money lost in this way
by many farmer than he has any
idea Of.
Another way in which it is quite
commonly seen that money IS lost In
feeding is by throwing the hay, and
the grain, too, in many cases, on the
ground Much corn is left uneaten by
the cattle, either because Of the mud
and filth on il, or on account of its
Smelling off so they can not gather it
up. Where hogs are kept in the same
yards some Of the waste is
prevented. but it is better econ
omy to feed in troughs and
racks where the cattle can eat mp clean
what is given them. In some sections
it may be considered that the value of
hay and grain will not warrant the
outlay required.to provide better feed
ing facilities, bgt such cases are only
the exceptions to the rule that money
is lost by wasting food.
There is no question that cattle con-
sumo less food when provided with
comfortable quarters in stables, for
then less is required to keep up bodily
warmth, and larger proportion of
food goes to make growth and flesh.
There are some cattlemen who claim
that their cattle have done better when
allowed to remain in yards pro-
tected only by open sheds,
the idea being that cattle
under such conditions are more
healthy and vigo Gus that when con-
fined in stables where they do not
have the same fresh air and abundant
exercise. UnCer such circumstances
it is not usual TO find that correct
estimate Of the value of the food con-
sumed can be formed, and this lacking,
the comparative expense can not be
correctly ascertained. While in over
crowded badly-ventilated quarters,
cattle win not thrive so well, it can
hardly be justly claimed that in we'll
arranged stables where the stock has
and an opportunity for daily exercise,
they will be less healthy than when
protected from storms and cold only
by open shed or stacks. Those
who have tried the two plans men,
toned. in a systematic way. could in
terest many ia the same line Of BUSH
ness by giving a detailed account Of
their experience. with the conclus ions
arrived at
There is money to be made, too. in
the way the cattle are fed, as this re-
lates to the kind Of food or combina-
tions OF it to produce the best results.
Much fodder and hay is wasted on the
farm. that if cut up and mixed with
bran or meal or oil cake would be
eaten readily, aud 60 far tow ard maxi
ing up the quantity required to carry
the herd through the winter in good
condition. National Livestock Jour
nal