Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-09-15
FARM zN1 1' ORCHARD
Notes and Instructions from Experiment Stations
Oregon and Washington Speedily

east redSOndDle certainty. lnat some
saving of pasture will be effected, and
that some fertility will be added to
the pasture from grain feeding is self
evident. 1t is equally apparent, how
ever, that the exact measure of the
influence exercised in each of these
several instances can not be definitely
determined. For instance, the fer
tilizing constituents contained in one
ton of some of the most common grain
feeds used are given a commercial
value as follows:
Wheat bran, s12.51; shorts, S9.47;
oil meal, 1892; oats, $7.62; bar
ley, $3.50.
That is to say, if we were to go into
the market and purchase in the form
of commercial fertilizers, the amount
of plant food contained in one ton of
each of the food stuffs enumerated
above, the cost would be as above
stated. But in the handling of the
manure from the animals there would
be more or less loss of the fertilizing
ingredients of the grain fed, and on
some soils it is certain that the effect
would not be so marked as on other
soils.
The following conclusions regarding
the questions would seem safe:
l. When cows are fed grain on
pasture that is succulent and abun-
dant, the tendency of such feeding is
to increase the yield of milk.
2. The tendency of such feeding is
also to promote some increase of flesh
production.
9. The quality of the milk, that is,
its per cent of fat, is not materially
influenced by such feeding.
a. The residual effects from such
feeding are considerable, as are shown
in two ways: First, in building up
the system, as it were, through in
crease in flesh; and second, by in
creased subsequent production in the
period of lactation that Immediately
follows. lit has also been demon
strated that grain fed to heifers in
milk, of yet uncompleted growth, on
pasture, resulted in securing a more
perfect growth than when not so fed.
5. Some saving will be effected in
the pasture. While the amount of
such saving is not easily determined,
it is generally true that it will not be
quite equal to the value of the grain
fed, for pasture is ordinarily relative
ly cheaper than grain.
6. The resultant fertilizer from
feeding grain should have a tangible
value. This value will be proportions
ate to the quantity of grain fed, and
to the fertilizing ingredients in the
same. The increase in direct milk
production therefore, from feeding
grain tells but part of the benefit
from such feeding, and perhaps not
the most important part.
In the present status of the question
the following would seem to be a ju-
dicious course to pursue: When the
pastures are succulent and abundant,
and where the probable supply of the
pasture is ample, omit feeding grain
from the time that the change from
stable to pasture has been completed
until the pasture begins to fail, either
through shortage .or lack of succul-
ence. But should the prospective
supply of grazing be short of the
needs of the cows, continue to feed
grain, but in small amounts, say two
to four pounds daily. Bran and shorts
will usually be the grain food for
most economical feeding. At times,
however, ground barley or oats could
more profitably be fed. Should the
cows freshen during the season of late
pasture as in common practice, care
should be taken that the feeding OF
grain be begun in ample time to pre-
vent checking the milk flow for the
winter milking season.