Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-10-14

Great care must be- given to details in
the successful feeding OF dairy cattle. To
become good feeder requires a knowl-
edge OF the needs OF the dairy COW and Of
the nature Of the different feeds.
The question most commonly asked is,
"What is the best feed for dairy cows?"
This question may seem simple and easy
to answer, but it is really quite difficult.
No short definite rule can be given which
will serve as guide under all conditions,
nor can a ration be given which will apply
to all cases. therefore it is wise for the
feeder to understand the methods by
which he can work out these problems for
himself.
In most cases the largest direct expense
for running a dairy herd is for feed.
Everyone familiar with the prevailing
conditions, knows a large amount OF feed
is used without producing the returns it
should. IT would be safe to say that the
average yearly milk production per COW
could be increased one-h half by following
better methods of feeding.
In producing milk COW may be looked
upon in way as a milk producing
machine, which the feeder supplies with
certain amount OF raw material in the form
OF feed, aud this raw material is manu-
featured into milk. Everyone who feeds
animafs should thoroughly comprehend
that first of all the animal must use a
certain proportion OF its food to maintain
the body. This is the first requirement Of
the animal, and it is the first use to which
it puts its food. This is called the ration
of maintenance and it is practically the
same whether the animal is being utilized
for maximum production or is merely
kept without producing any milk at all.
In the case of any ordinary dairy COW,
this ration OF maintenance amounts to from
fifty to sixty per cent. OF all She can con-
sumo. In the case OF a heavier producing
animal, this ration OF maintenance
amounts to from forty to fifty per cent OF
the total feed OF the animal. 1t should be
clear that after going to the expense OF
giving the animal the necessary amount
to keep her alive, it is the poorest economy
to refuse to furnish the other forty or
sixty per cent which she would utilize ex-
clusiyely for milk production. On the
average farm, this is one OF the most
common mistakes made.
The COW being adapted by nature for
consuming bulky rations does not feel
satisfied unless there is sufficient bulk to
the ration. An animal that is fed
too much grain in proportion to the
amount Of roughness may seem hun
CRY while she really has q sufficient
amount OF nutrients but so concentrated
that it does not seem to have sufficient
bulk. The COW should be fed practically
all the roughness she will eat up clean at
all times. The difference in the rations
fed to cows producing different quantities
of milk should be in the grain ration.
The most accurate means OF determin-
ing the ration needed is by calculation
based upon the feeding standards. HOW
ever. the following rules are OF service as
a general guide to practical feeding:
First, feed all the roughness the cows
will eat up clean at all times.
second, feed one pound grain per gay
for each pound butter fat produced per
week, or one pound grain daily Tor each
three to four pounds OF milk.
Third, feed all the cows will take WIN
out gaining in weight.