The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-11-03
Dairy Specialists Advise Lynden
Farmers of Best Rations For Milk
Production

Feeding of dairy cows was discuss
ed at twelve meetings held through
out Whatcom County during the past
month by County Agricultural Agent
Ii. B. Carroll, Jr. and d. G. Magruder,
Dairy Specialist for the Extension
Service of the State College of Wash
ington.
At the request of The Tribune,
digest of their lectures for the bene-
fit of Lynden farmers:
The Importance of breeding and
feeding for high production was
shown. The fundamental basis of
successful dairying is the high pro-
ducing individual COW. With all of
the improvement that may be made
in marketing in this state in the fut-
ure years, the condition will still ex-
ist that the man with the high pro-
ducing cow will make more than the
man with the low producer.
An analysis of the records of the
cows in the Snohomish Valley Cow
Testing Association for the year end
ing September 1st, 1921, was given
to show the profit from high produc-
ing cows over that from lower pro-
ducers. The returns for butterfat
over feed cost for cows which produc-
ed under 200 pounds of butterfat
during the year was $500: 200 to
$50 pounds: $51.00; $50 to 800
pounds; $500: 800 to $50 pounds;
$101.00: $50 to 400 pounds; $12S.00
400 to 45O pounds; $4,000 over
$50 pounds;
AS a general rule it pays to feed
the COW all that she can eat up to the
point where she begins to put on
more flesh than she needs, to be in
good thrifty condition. Care must be
taken that the COW receives sufficient
protein in her feed to provide for the
maintenance of her muscles and in
ternal organs and for the casein in
the milk. The carbohydrates in the
feed cannot be used in place of pro-
tein so the milk the COW can give is
limited by the amount of protein in
the feed. The tables of protein and
carbohydrate requirement for main
tanning the body of the cow and pro-
ducing her milk and the tables of
digestible protein and carbohydrate
content of the various feeds were
shown and the use of these tables
was demonstrated in calculating ra-
tions which would contain sufficient
protein and carbohydrates for cows
of various weights, giving various
amounts of milk of various tests.
While these tables do not take the
place of experience in feeding and
of an acquaintance with the individ-
uality of the cows, they can be used
to good advantage in checking up on
rations which are being fed.
The amount of feed needed for
cows varies with their temperament.
A nervous COW needs more feed than
the same sized COW that is quiet and
not excitable. Cattle that are forced
to stay outside in the cold rains also
use up more feed to maintain their
bodies than those that are kept in the
barn or better still in an open shed.
One of the most important factors
in successful feeding of Dairy Cattle
is to provide the COW with an abun-
dance of good wholesome roughage,
because this group of feeds are cheap
er than the concentrates, such as the
cereals.
In feeding some cows it is neces-
sary to cater to their appetites so
they will consume more roughages.
Mangles, beets or carrots are great
appetizers. By their use the COW can
be induced to eat more hay. The
Dairy Cow is similar to man in that
she likes a variety and does not like
to make a whole meal out of hay and
silage. but prefers a little of each
and then some good grain
One thing must be kept in mind in
feeding the Dairy Cow and that is
she needs a variety of feeds to make
sure that the ration contains the
proper kind of protein. Feeds vary
in the kinds of proteins they contain,
for example the protein in corn d1f-
fers from those contained in wheat
or oats. and likewise in oil meal, SO
in compiling a ration try to combine
at least four or five plants IN the rat
ion. This serves to add variety ana
also brings about better balance
between the feeds.
1t is quite important TO use as
much of the home grown feeds as
possible in balancing the ration, as
it serves to cheaper the ration ana
offers a good channel to market the
farm products.
Each COW should receive the
amount of grain, Roughage and sue
cluent feeds she deserves to make
the greatest profit. The cows should
be fed individually according to her
weight
The easiest way to determine these
factors is to join a COW testing Assoc
alton and feed according to produc-
tion.
In Western Washington where our
soils are more or less deficient IN
lime and phosphates, it is necessary
to supply these ingredients to the
ration as our feeds are lacking in
lime and PHOSPHORUS and the COW
needs these in producing milk ana
maintaining the body.
In order to supply the COW with
these necessary minerals, she should
be given free access to the tolloWing
MIXTURE: one part of table salt 10
Tour parts of steamed bone meal
Dont feed raw bone meal, but get the
steamed bone ses msa s,eas eever and hay safa Rfs
contain large amounts OF calclum
1lime) and phosphates. but it is well ell
20 feed the above mixture and Dc
tn