The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-11-08
Care Of Cows IN the Fail
(By Chas. Nelson)

This season of the year is apt to find
the farmer all absorbed IN threshing,
corn cutting, silo filling and plowing,
the cows still running in the same old
pasture, the farmer too busy to give
them the necessary care.
We are apt to forget the fact that
the COW is the hardest working animal
on the farm, a factory capable of con-
verting the raw products of mother
earth. roots, hay, corn, grain, into the
most perfect of human food-milk.
The dairyman can materially aid this
process by giving attention to some of
the requirements of his herd.
When the cold rains of fall come on,
it is worth while to shelter cows in the
barn. The chill from such rains is
worse than much lower temperature
when dry. Some farmers talk of the
hardness of certain breeds to resist
such condition, but show me profitable
results under such condition.
1t is not enough that cows can endure
abuse. 1t is profits We are after. Do
not permit cows to lie down over thing
on cold, wet ground. Her mammary
glands may be impaired. This is par
ticularly true of fresh cows.
Where a regular system of rotation
is practiced, there will always be fields
containing considerable fall pasture.
This may be utilized to excellent advan-
tage where the entire farm is fenced
with cross fencing for the individual
fields.
On Lakeside Farm, a six-year rota-
ton is practiced, one of corn, two Of
grass, three of small grain, oats, bar
ley, wheat, flax. The first years clo-
yer usually furnishes splendid fall pas
ture.
Green corn in any stage is much rel
ished by cows. 1t grows abundantly
and gives excellent results. Feed it
whenever the pastures are short. Hay
may be fed if necessary. The good cow
will pay for it when she eats it.
Another fact should not be forgot
ten. A cow giving one to one-and-one-
half pounds of butterfat daily can not
find sufficient nutriment in ordinary
pasture to produce this milk flow.
Hence when she freshens she may reach
this standard from the stored-up tissues
of her body, but when short pastures
of fall fail to supply her needs, she will
drop. Fresh fall cows are profitable
winter feeders, but if the milk flow
drops way down before winter sets in
an irreparable loss has been sustained.
Use good judgment in feeding. If
the cow cleans up the feed quickly, she
is usually making good use of it. Feed
corn in bundle for while. Feed avail
able foods some variety. The North
west has been blessed with an unusual
crop of oats, barley and corn. Prices
are down lower than for years. 1t is
great deal of satisfaction to know that
the cow will pay the highest market
price for these feeds. It is safe to say
that good herd of cows, properly fed,
will give two dollars return for each
dollars worth of food consumed. The
writer has had q number of years ex-
perience feeding. Weighing the feed
and weighing the MIXED produced is
not guesswork. Feed once q day. it
not over five pounds are fed; twice
daily where ten to twelve pounds are
fed. Grain should always be ground.
Where clover or alfalfa is lacking is
worth while to feed one to three pounds
Of oilmeal or cottenseed meal daily to
large producing cows.
Let US, then, give attention to the
following points:
Make the cows comfortable and at
home ct all times. The better the COW
the more sensitive she is, and the
greater the loss; on the other hand
she is equally responsive TO kind treat
1nenf.
Provide succulent, palatable, fall pas-
ture. ".
Provide supplementary feeding 50 the
full need Of the system i met.