Oxford Democrat., 1917-01-02
AMONG THE FARMERS.
"sPERD THE PLow."

Corespondenoe on practical agricultural topic
| soncited. Address all communications In
sgnaeo Tor this department to HlN1Y d
ocrat. Paris. Ne. o'1N -''''
Extra Care and Feeding of Cows.
l. There Is valuable lesson taught In
the feeding experiments which are car.
ried out to determine how much extra
feed and care can be profitably besto wed
on cows. A recent experiment carried
on at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment
Station at Wooster proves some impor.
tant facts in the case, and presents the
subject OF better feeding and care In an
interesting way.
The farmer who takes a proper de-
gree of pride in his calling appreciates
the value of thrifty, well-fed live stock.
Appearances may be taken az fair indi-
cation of good care or neglect, and the
difference between handsome herd of
cows, and half-starved, neglected herd
Is one of the distinctions between good
and poor farming. However, We must
admit that extra care means extra work
and increased expense, and In this lies
the most probable reason why 30
many herds are receiving only indiffer-
ent care. II the dairyman could only
prove conclusively in his own mind that
better care and feeding may be made Q
source of profit as surely as an aid to
beauty, we could reasonably expect q
wave of improvement along these lines.
AN INTERESTING TEST
Two cows were selected by the Ohio
Experiment Station for this test. These
cows had received liberal care and feed
previous to the test. They were kept In
ordinary stalls during the test, but were
made as comfortable as possible, and
were fed very liberal balanced ration.
During part Of the test they were milk
cd three times day. The time consum-
ed in feeding, watering, and cleaning
the cows was not noticeably increased,
but extra time was spent in milking.
However, the increased value of manure,
due to heavy feeding of concentrates,
would pay liberally for the extra time
and labor.
Cow No. / had four lactation periods
previous to the test which was conduct
ed during her fifth period. Cow No.
had five lactation periods previous to the
test. The period of the test included II
months from the birth of the calf. The
milk was carefully weighed and sampled
at each milking, and the feed consumed
was weighed and recorded.
During the period Of the test the aver
age feed cost for the two cows increased
s50.s6, or 70 per cent, over the average
of former periods. The production OF
milk increased from S,194 pounds, the
average of former periods, to 5000, or
SO per cent, and the butter fat increased
from 259 pounds, the average of former
periods, to 452, or IA per cent.
The total feed cost of 100 pounds milk
or one pound of burterfat was about the
same in each case, but the total cost, In
oluding feed, labor, taxes, interest and
depreciation, barn rent and use OF tools
was lower in the period during which
the cows received extra care and feed
averaging 80 cents less per 100 pounds
milk, and cents less per pound butter
fat.
GAIN IN WEIGHT AND APPEARANCE
In addition to the value of the increase
| in milk and butterfat, the cows should
be credited with q considerable increase
| in weight, and q noticeable improve
ment in appearance. They were In better
condition at the close of the years work
| than at any time during their previous
lactation periods, which proves that LID.
ersl feeding and good performance at the
pail were not detrimental to the health
of the COWS, and did not in any way I'm
peril their future strength and useful
ness.
To the dairyman an who studies the indi
vidual possibilities of his cows, these re-
suits are of vast importance. It is be
coming more generally understood tha
no two COWS are exactly alike In food re-
ouirements and possible performance
To obtain the best possible results. eacf
cow must be studied as an individua
problem, and the ration must be adapted
to her needs in both quantity and quality
Just how far high feeding can be follow
ed with profit depends on the breeding
of the COW. After carefully observing
the results of liberal feeding, with tht
aid of the scales and milk tester, eacf
COW may be placed in her proper clasl
with regard to feed consumption anc
milk production.
THE NEGLECTED cow
We must not forget that the cows II
the above experiment bad been fed
we'll. balanced ration that Is generally
classed as liberal in quantity. In tn
case of cows which are receiving oni!
medium feed and care, even more strik
ling results may be expected. Undoubt
sdIy there are cows in almost every bert
which would respond profitably to NOR:
liberal feeding. The dairyman should
mot sell cows which are only medium
producers until he has given them
Chance to prove their capabilities unde
more liberal feeding. He may be sur
prissd at the possibilities OF some COW
which be formerly classed as unpront
able producers.