Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-11-26
Che
DAIRY
FEED CABBAGE AND
POTATOES TO COWS


Potatoes may be fed 10 dairy cows
1 Immediately after milking without no
tlceably affecting either the flavor on
oder OF the milk or cream Similarly,
cabbage may be fed with hut slight
/ effect on the favor and odor Of these
products. These facts were brought
out in experiments conducted by ex-
perts Of the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture to determine
whether feeding cabbage or potatoes
affects the flavor and odor Of milk
and to ascertain how they may be fed
and the milk handled SO as to mini
mize any Objectionable effect on its
quality.
The Investigation was conducted
with six HOlsfein and ten Jersey cows,
representative Of the two breeds,
weighing on en average 1,145 and 91S
pounds respectively. The stage Of
lactation varied from fresh cows TO
those nearing the end OF their laeta-
ton period.
The animals were divided into
groups OF four. One group received
ration consisting Of two parts (by
weight each OF hominy feed, bran,
and oats, and Of one part each OF cot
tonseed meal and linseed meal. In
addition, the cows were fed all the
alfalfa hay they would consume
readily. Besides the hay and grain
ration, the other three groups re-
ceived. respectively. the following
quantities Of cabbage: Is pounds one
hour before milking, 80 pounds one
hour before milking, and 30 pounds
Immediately after milking. This prac-
tIce was followed for four consecutive
days, but on the fifth day no cabbage
was fed. The cows In the various
groups were then interchanged In or
der to equallze any abnormal results
In the milk OF an Individual animal.
There we're times, however, when GER
tain cows failed to consume the entire
amount Of cabbage fed. OF each 10
pound portion Of cabbage fed an aver
age OF 1913 pounds vas eaten while
when 80 pounds was fed an average |
Of "a pounds was consumed. Samples
we're taken from the milk of each
cow at the time Of milking and cooled /
but not aerafed The samples were |
examined for flavor and odor by ex-
perienced judges having no knowledge
as to which COW produced q particular
sample.
1t was found that when dairy cows
consume an average of lab pounds Of
cabbage one hour before milking the
flavor and odor Of their milk are UNI
favorably affected. An Increase In the
amount Of cabbage fed intensIfies the
Objectionable flavor and odor. In the
'ase OF cows eating 10 pounds OF cab
rage Immediately after milking there
ire but few resulting Objectionable
'dors and ffavors In the milk. In con-
lection with these experiments anoth-
r series OF tests was made under sim
lar conditions to determine the effect
Il feeding potatoes on the flavor and
dor OF milk.
These tests showed that when dairy
ows consume an average Of 14.8
lOunds OF potatoes one hour before
hiking. slightly abnormal havors
nd odors may be produced. but they
ne so slight that they would seldom
e noticed by the average consumer.
Increasing the amount of potatoes fed
ne hour before milking from lab
ounds to 293 pounds does not In
rease objectionable favors and odors
j the milk Dairy cows may safely
Q fed 2S.7 pounds Of potatoes imme-
lately after milking without affecting
Re Odor and flavor of the milk.
Proper aeration is Of value In re-
aclng strong abnormal favors and {
Tors IN milk caused by feeding cab !
age, and some OF the slightly objec- :
enable fiavors and odory may be en- /
rely eliminated by this method