The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-06-02
ROOTS FOR FARM
ANIMALS.
BY R. S. SHAW,
DEAN OF THE MICHIGAN
AGRICULTURAL COL
LEGE.

range Of adaptibility, there being
no class of animals on the farm
but what some sort of roots is suited
to their needs. Silage is not possessed
of the same range of adaptibility, as
its general use for the horse, pig and
chicken has not yet been established.
The exact value of the root crop Is
not fully understood, but its laxative
action on the bowels, the cooling,
stimulating and appetizing effects on
animals on dry feed in winter are
known to be valuable. 1t is valuable
as a preventative of constipation, the
forerunner of digestive troubles and
other forms OF disease.
For the horse the carrot seems bsst
than any other root. Idle work horses
can be wintered we'll and cheaply on
oat straw, bright corn slower and an
exceedingly small amount of grain
and hay daily, especially when accom-
panied by regular, but small daily sup
plies Of carrots. No other kind of
roots seem to appease the desires of
the horse for succulence in the winter
season as well as carrot.
Roots are not so essential now for
the dairy cow since silage has come
into general use, but we still believe
there is place for them in the feed
of the dairy herd. 1t has been found
that cows on full feed, using a ration
of clover hay, silage and grain. when
offered in addition fifteen pounds of
sliced mangolds per day, consume
them with relish and increase their
milk flow. While silage in moderation
is a good feed for young heifers and
bulls of the dairy breeds, ii used too
largely it tends toward the production
of fat and may be replaced in some
measure by roots, which are charged
with producing sappy carcasses and
large vital organs and viscera, for
these are good things to develop in
the young animals being grown for the
dairy herd.
In feeding beef cattle, roots have
undoubtedly been used to an extreme.
If used in moderation with this class
of animals, the beneficial effects are
shown in smooth, SOFT sleek, glossy
coat and a mellow, elastic skin, form
ing sharp contrast to the dry, harsh
coats of the heavily corn fed cattle.
Excessive amounts tend to produce
growthiness and retards fattening,
hence roots in the beef herd are most
useful for the young growing and
breeding stocks.
Considering all the sorts of roots,
they have wider range of usefulness
among sheep than any other class Of
domestic animals Sheep will consume
all kinds of roots in their natural state
They may furnish the succulence so
necessary during the winter season,
especially to aid in abundant milk pro-
duction during the early Landing sea-
son before grass is available. Succu-
lent foods tend to promote prolificacy
and stimulate wool and meat produc-
ton as well.
Mangolds, carrots and sugar beets
can be used in the raw state for
swine, but turnips and rutabagas can
not without cooking, unless the hogs
are starved to 1t. We have come to
feel that we cannot handle brood sows.
young growing pigs, and even feeders
without at least one mangold, carrot
or sugar beet per head per day dur
ing the winter season when green feed
is not available. Cooking Is not nee
essary unless II is desired to mix grain
with roots. Frozen roots should not
be fed to pigs, as they will produce
scours. Those who have used roots in
anv way for winter feeding seldom
give up the practice.
Thus we find that here is an almost
unlimited sphere of usefulness for root
crops. A more general use of roots
for our stock in moderate quantities
during the winter season would do
much to lessen our bills for veterinary
assistance, patent medicines and high
priced continental feeds.
n