Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-02-17
sILAeE AND MILK COST
An Important Factor in Dairy Feed
Problem.

To see 8 or 10 COWS in the barn be-
ing fed with rations containing no
silage brings to mind Immediately
what it is costing to produce milk.
To feed an engine with fuel that does
not burn easily or generate the great
est amount of heat and energy pos
sible is like feeding a cow with poor
rations. Thus the man who is feeding
his COW dry cornstalks, timothy hay
and cold water can be likened to a
poor fireman. Silage makes feed
more palatabIe, keeps the digestive
system in good condition, aids the di
gestibility of other feeds, is the cheap
est roughage grown on the farm, en-
ables one to do the largest business
not only with stock on hand, but will
enable the farm to take and feed more
stock.
In one area the benefit of silage to
the dairymen was clearly brought out
by the fact that there was a much
greater show from those which were
fed silage. This investigation included
over rs farms. Plans should be made
now relative to the building of a silo
next year. Fields should be planned
where the silage corn is to be grown.
AS far as the variety of corn is
concerned, it is not always the largest
growing corn which produces the
largest amount of food nutrients per
very strongly, but where trials have
been given and analysis has been
made of results, it has been found to
produce less food per acre than many
of our smaller varieties.
In making up rations for dairy cows
one should consider the following fac
tors which go to make up a desirable
feed mixture: Palatability, succulency,
digestibility. bulkiness, fertilizer value,
analysis, physical effect on the animal
and cost. Should one of these be
neglected, the best ration will not be
obtained. Whereas it may be hard to
get all of these combinations at low
est cost per unit of digestible nutrients
one can go a long way in securing
superior mixtures by having these
factors in mind. The fact that 80 per
cent of the fertilizing elements are
erly conserved should influence one
to consider seriously the value of
these materials as fertilizer.
Upon investigation one will find that
the fertilizing value after feeding cot
tonseed meal is over $23 per ton
under normal fertilizer prices; glu-
ten meal is SIS, corn meal SIS and bran
SO. If one. figures on the present
prices for fertilizer materials, these
prices will be far greater. The fol-
lowing rations are sufficient as a basis
of what to use under present prices
Bran, two parts; cottonseed, one part
gluten, one part; hominy, two parts
ajaxon distillers' grains, two parts
For cottonseed meal or gluten, oil
meal can be substituted. Dry brewers
grains are strongly recommended and
also take the place of gluten as far
as its feeding value is concerned
Greater or less amounts of those feeds
which supply large amounts of pro-
TEN should be used according to the
quantity and kinds of roughage fed
Where the roughage contains a large
amount of clover or alfalfa, there can
! be used much less cottonseed meal OF
gluten. The above mixtures should
go well with 80 to So pounds corn
silage. to 10 pounds had other than
| clover and to 10 pounds clover.
The following factors should be con-
sidered: Roughage should supply
| food for body upkeep; grain should
| supply elements for milk production
For the young growing animal feed
more protein. The richer the milk
! and the larger the flow the greater
| should be the proportion of feed pei
pound of milk and the greater the di-
gestibility. Remember that the dairy
| COW is Woodworking animal Con-
| sequently all food should be very
| easily digested.