Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-04-08
Cost Of Feeding the Dairy Cow.

Cost of Feeding the Dairy Cow.
Lecture by Professor P. A: Campbell, Farm
ers' Week. Orono, March 1th)
The vital point to the dairyma II
feeding the dairy COW is not the aetna
cost of feeding, but rather the RETURN
which the dairy COW gives back for eaci
dollar expended 10 feed. 1t 10 the iarg
or net returns that the dairyman shoult
be looking for rather than keeping tn
cost of feeding low, because the cost car
be kept down by half feeding-yet by th'
up-to. date dairyman 1t would not be con
sidered economical.
There are two factors which influence
the production of the dairy COW. First
breeding, and second, feeding. 1t is ao
solutely essential that she inherit those
qualities and characteristics which 60 Il
make up production. Having inherit
ed production, it is then necessary tha
she be fed and handled in such way
that she will produce. Breeding Is OF ne
| use at all If the COW that has inherited
production from her breeding is now
allowed to produce according to her IN
herited qualities. The cow that Ia need
ed at present is one that lasts through
long period of usefulness, and WORKS
efficiently. A large number of the COWS
in the state are undoubtedly not pro-
ducing the amount that they are capable
of producing, or that their natural In
herent qualities would permit them To
do, If given chance.
A larger ration and one more directly
suited to the needs of the cows would
help to bring some of these cows into
different class. The ration that the
dairy COW needs is one that will supply
the different food requirements OF the
animal; not only what is needed for
supply ying her body, but in addition, a
sufficient amount to permit her to do the
work required, whether it be In making
growth or in producing milk. The ra-
ton should contain some form of succu-
lent, and enough bulky grains should be
used In the grain ration to make the
whole appear bulky. 1t should measure
up at least quart to the pound.
1t costs us for feeds from $50 to S65
to raise calf from the time it begins to
drink, at couple of days OF age, until it
has its first calf, at 28 or u months OF
age. This is considering all feeds at
market prices. 1t must also be remem'
bered that the heifer is given extra feed
the last four months before calving, be.
cause the developing calf 10 drawing
heavily upon her for it's sustenance.
With plenty of good pasture these hg-
ures will be reduced several dollars.
The main object of feeding the heifer,
that is to calve, or the dry cow we'll, is
to get them into shape to milk we'll after
calying. Stimulating feeds at this time
permit her to put her body In good con.
dtion, because, If she is a proficient
mixer, she will need to draw upon it
heavily after calving before she can be
worked onto a full ration. Also, 1t per-
mits the udder to develop and take on
the size that will permit the cow to do
her full work. Extra care and watch
fulness should be observed at this time.
As soon as the COW has calved, the
object of the feeder should be to work
the COW to q point where she will
produce the greatest profit without In.
Jury to herself. This can only be done
by watching the COW carefully, and after
she has reached moderate ration, max
ing sure that for every increase in feed
the COW returns profit.
1t must be remembered that it is not
always the cheapest fed COW that Is the
cheapest producer. That 1t costs about
as much to maintain poor producer as
a good producer. That the cow, al
though she Is dry, needs to be fed a suffi.
cient amount to be in good condition
and we'll bagged in calving time. That
the COW must be we'll bred, but that she
must be we'll fed, also, If she is to show
the qualities of production which she
has Inherited. That 1t costs too much to
rear heifer that proves to be poor
producer, but that it is the cheapest way
Of getting good producer.