Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-10-29
ALFALFA MEAL
''' '''' : and Ilfj'S SILAGE
Are the Best Rations for the
Dairy Cow
THE ALMIGHTY
WAS GOOD TO US
Designed and Fitted This Section of
the Arkansas Valley for
Dalrylng

So many people are making in
quiry regarding feed for dairy
COWS and balanced ration that
The Enterprise has been requested
to publish the following from an
expert dairyman OF the Arkansas
Valley:
Great progress has been made in feed
ing since the publication Of the Wolf
tables. but it is well to bear in mind that
balanced ration is theoretical posi-
bility and can only be approximated in
practice. The man who studies feed
tables as they apply to his own condition
is the one who makes success. Alfalfa
| furnishes the best and most economical
| supply Of protein. while sage furnishes
the Carbohydrates in the same manner.
As these two products are the most GER
tain and abundant crops we can raise.
we can hardly go wrong. 1t is not ad-
vantageous to keep COWS in the barn for
five or six months in this climate. They
do better in yards. and will give as much
milk. as we'll as keep in better physical
trim. Dairymen from most every section
say our COWS are in fine condition at all
seasons. Milk production meets with
their approval. and the young stock never
fails to draw compliments.
am not willing to admit that it is not
possible to develop grass and clover
pastures on our irrigated land. Some
progress has been made along this line.
Our buffalo grass will put COW in fine
condition and bring up her milk. but am
not advocating its extensive use. Far
mers who think they cannot keep COWS
unless they are next to free range OF this
grass will get over this idea in few
years. One seldom gets something for
nothing in any kind of business. The
dairy COW works all the time whether
she looks it or not She is not range
animal. and the more easy and contented
her lot. the more profitable she is.
There is period commencing about
| Oct. when we have the most wonder
| ful pasture in the world. After the first
frost or two the alfalfa is safe. The
COWS certainly enjoy grazing this and the
| tops left in the beet fields. They gain in
| flesh and their hair looks like silk. 1t is
the time OF the year, too, that they should
be at their best, for they are freshening.
and the price Of milk is up for the follow
ing six months. This rich pasture, here
tofore almost neglected. has been turned
into considerable asset on the farm by
the cow.
| Beet pulp may be had at any station
from October to March delivered on the
cars. One ton of dried pulp equals eight
tons OF wet pulp. Cows relish this pulp.
and it produces good favor milk. Pulp
ferments quickly and is usually fed sour.
but COWS prefer soured pulp. so that it
can be piled and used for months after
delivery.
| Beet tops make a remarkable feed.
The analysis does not Indicate their value.
A COW will leave any other kind Of food
for them. She comes up in flesh and
milk on them and shows the same effect
as from feeding oil meal. Text books
give the yield of beet tops as five tons
per acre. This is high for the average
yield, but at a price of 50 per acre for
beet tops there is nothing to touch them
in value for the daryman.
Stock mangels produce from so to 40
tons per acre with US and are not grown
much because we have sugar beets.
The experimental stations give out the
impression that there is little advantage
in feeding alfalfa meal as compared to
alfalfa hay Our experience differs
from this for we have secured as good
results on this meal as on wheat bran.
We would not feed bran at S25 per ton
when meal can be had at $40 per ton.
Just try some Of this meal and see for
yourself.
Although the advanced methods of
dairyng make tine pasture an item Of
small account. the average man will not
consider keeping COWS without pasture.
II we put less work on COWS during the
growing months and make business of
milking when the crop work is put aside
we get the best use of what pasture
nature affords and also receive the top
price for milk.
No country has everything. The Al
mighty was good to all OF US. have
never had doubt about this section of
the Arkansas Valley beng designed and
fitted for the dairy cow.