Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-05-28
FEEDING THE
DAIRY COW
I Lecture by Prof. r. A. Campbell, Farmers
Week. Orono, 1913

Week, Orono. 1913
The vital point to the dairyman in feed
ing the dairy cow is not the actual cost OF
feeding, but rather the returns which the
dairy COW gives back for each dolisr ex-
pended in feed. II is the larger net re-
turns that the dsiryman should be look-
ing for rather than keeping the cost OF
feeding low, because the cost can be kept
down by half feeding, yet by the up-to-
date dairyman il would not be considered
economical.
There are tao factors which influence
the production OF the dairy COW. First,
breeding, and second, feeding. 1t is alb
solutely essential that she inherits those
qualities and characteristics which 20 to
make up production. Having inherited
production, it is then necessary that she
be fed and handled In such way that she
will produce.
Breeding Is Of no use at all II the COW
thst has Inherited production from her
breeding is now allowed to produce ac-
eording to her inherited qualities. Tho
Cow that is needed at present Is one that
lasts through a long period OF usefulness,
and works efficiently. A large number of
the cows in the State are undoubtedly
not producing the amount that they are
capable of producing, or that their natural
inherent qualities would permit them to
do, II given q chance.
A larger ration and one more directly
suited to the needs of the cows would help
to bring some Of the cows into differ
eut class. The ration that the dairy COW
needs is one that viii supply the different
food requirements of the animal; not only
what is needed for supplying her body,
but in addition, sufficient amount to
permit her to do the work required,
whether it be in making growth or in pro-
dacing milk. The ration should contain
some form of succulent, and enough
bulky grains should be used In the grain
ration to make the whole appear bulky,
1t should measure up at least a quart TO
the pound.
IL costs us for feeds from SOS to s65 to
raise a calf from the time ii begins TO
drink, at a couple of days OF age, until il
has its first calf, at twenty-s'x or twenty
seven months of age. This is considering
all feeds at market prices. 1: must also be
remembered that the heifer is given extra
feed the last four months before cslying
because the developing calf is drawing
heavily upon her for its sustenance. With
| plenty of good pasture these figures will
be reduced several dollars.
/ The main object OF feeding the heller
81 l. 49, q kn a =, a.
get them into shape to milk well after
calying. Stimulating feeds at this time
permit her TO put her body in good con-
dition, because, If she is proficient
mixer, she viii need 10 draw upon il
heavily after ealving before she can be
worked onto full ration. Also, il per-
I mits the udder TO develops and take on the
size that viii permit the COW TO do her
ull work. Extra care and watchfuiness
I should be observed at this time.
! AS soon as the COW has calved, the OBJ
ject OF the feeder should be to work the
COW to point where she will produce the
greatest profit without injury to herself.
/ This can only be done by watching the
COW carefully, and after she has reached a
moderate ration, making sure that for
every increase in feed the COW returns a
profit.
| II must be remembered that il Is not
always the cheapest fed COW that is the
cheapest producer; that 1t costs about
as much 10 maintain a poor producer
as a good producer; that the COW,
although she is dry, needs TO be fed a
sufficient amount to be in good condition
and we'll bagged in calying time; that the
COW must be well bred, bat that she must
be well fed, also, il she is to show the
| qualities of production which she has in
herited; that it costs too much to rear a
heller that proves to be poor producer,
but that it is the cheapest way OF getting q
| good producer.