Norwich bulletin., 1916-09-21
THE COW AT cALvINe TIME.
Some Timely Advice Furnished by Prof. White Of Connecticut Aeri cultural College.

There is no time in the whole milk ing period that has such an import ant bearing on the establishment of a standard for production for the year as the period previous to and follow ing calVing time. II is understood by many, but not by all, that if a cow is allowed from six weeks to two months in which to rest from one lac tatioE period to the next, she will yield more than when .nilked contin- uously up to the time of parturition- We know the effect upon ourselves, when our faculties are continuously at work, especially when the nerves are brought into play. And it is a fact that parturition vitally disturbs the nervous and physical activities, especially the forces of digestion. The act of calving brings stimulation to the milk producing organs. which is the only natural and effective means of stimulating milk secretion, and it is a serious mistake not to make the most of 1t. It is necessary to handle the COW in such manner as to de rive full benefit from this stimulation while it is yet present, since with most cows it rapidly wears off if not utilized.
 At this time of year with many cows freshening in the fall, this ques- ton concerns many. Rather liberal feeding, which actually builds mild lloiI1SIILS OIl liIS pOdE' OuI HIS LnS last few weeks of the lactation period, and while the COW is dry, is the secret of preparing the COW for the succeed ing lactation period This may ap- pear to be wasting feed, but this is the important period when it is most valuable. During the last few weeks of the milking period grain may be fed at the rate of one pound to each two pounds of milk produced, reduc- ing at the period when the COW is to be dried good many have trouble in drying off persistent milkers by the plan of skipping nillSings, but when less than IA pounds of milk is yield ed, daily milking can be discontinued at any time without serious difficulty if accompanied by a reduction in the feed. The udder will become filled, but the fluid contents will soon be ab- sorbed. When dry, about eight pounds of grain should be fed daily, more if the cow is in poor condition. It would not be profitable to feed in ferior cows this way. These, how ever, cannot always be detected from the others unless all have an equal chance, and wedding is practiced, based upon the record of production. The grain ration should be bulky, lax ative and nutritious, having slightly more carbohydrates than a milk ra- tion5 with a nutritive ratio of about one of protein to seven of carbohy- QTdCe ana Idl equivalent. 1T a nlSn percentage of fat is sought even more liberal feeding of grain will be use- fu1.
 During this period protein and fat ty tissues are actually being, stored upon the body to be used in the pro- duction of milk before the cow is in shape to digest and assimfIate a full ration. A COW is like tohoggan in that the higher she starts at the be- ginning of her slide, the faster and longer will she keep running. It is just as serious to crowd the appetite during the first month after calving as to neglect tc lay on this supply of nutrients. The COW should be kept hungray. If fed all she would eat harm will be done, and a. check to her flow is the natural result of going 'toff feed" as most cows reach their limit early by this sort of handling.
 A week before calving reduce the grain to four or five pouHns, feeding mostly bran and oats. On tha day of calving pound and a half of ep- som salts. luke warm water, and good hay are enough for a well-conditioned COW, although two quarts of bran mash may be useful Begin tile next day feeding lightly and after four or five days introduce a grain mixture gradually. Increase this gradually about one-fourth pound per day. Do not expect a COW to Handle all the feed called for by her yield of milk If she has been properly conditioned and is coming to good flow from one month to six weeks is early enough to get her on full feed. For