IMPORTANCE OF TESTING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4641, 18 May 1938, Page 3

IMPORTANCE OF TESTING.

HIGH FEEDING GRASSES. Efficiency in dairy production is achieved by ensuring that cows receive the right food in the right

quantities. The cheapest means of filling the first requirement is by herd-testing and culling, since by this method only high-producing cows are maintained on the farm.

The value of dairy land nowadays is judged not by the number of cows it will carry, but by the butterfat production an acre. Once this idea is fixed in mind, it becomes obvious that the higher the cow's yield, the more economic a producing unit she becomes. Low producers mean reduced output, and reduced efficiency in the working of the farm. As the dairy cow is required to produce large quantities of milk which is rich in protein, it follows that it must be given foods which are likewise rich in protein. There is little difference between the food values of the various popular cultivated grasses, which in the early stages of growth are equal in protein content to many valued concentrates. The young shoots are very rich in this respect, and this accounts for rapid recovery of cattle grazing on pastures after rain followingspells of dry weather, or after a burn..

Natural Food

Here, then, is a natural food for the dairy cow, readily available. It is economic, too, because with a little care it can be produced in large quantities, and it requires no labour in feeding. The dairy pastures then deserve special attention to maintain them at an efficient standard. There are several ways of maintaining and improving pastures, namely: (1) The growing of grasses which have a high feeding value; (2) top-dressing pasture land; (3) rotational grazing, or, in other words, feeding the grass while in its youngstage of growth; (4) renovation of pastures.

In selecting grasses attention must be given to their adaptability to local conditions, periods of growth, and production, nutritive value, payability, and suitability for grazing and hay-making. The length of the grazing season is increased and the returns improved by the use of topdressing. Its practibility depends on the increased returns in terms of cash.

Rotational grazing does not involve so great an outlay and is more a matter of pasture improvement by ensuring the economical use of herbage. The subdivision of holdings to provide rotational grazing appears to offer a ready means of immediate benefit through pasture management. Palatability of Feeds. While the cost of the ration fed to dairy cows is likely to influence its composition, consideration should also be given to the palatability of the feeds selected. Nothing should be fed to the animals which will affect the quality of the product yielded. What is suitable for one animal may not be suitable for another, and the method of using stock foods governs their value. For producing animals, i.e., animals converting the food eaten into some product, such as milk—it is essential that they should eat sufficient. In order to guarantee this sufficiency care should be taken to ensure that the ration fed is wholesome and palatable. Unless the ration is palatable, cows and fattening pigs will not consume sufficient feed to permit the efficient production of milk and cream, and bacon. Unpalatable feeds which have to be fed to milking cows should be used sparingly and mixed with some other well-liked feed.

It is only by feeding rations of a palatable nature that the maximum production can be obtained from live stock. At the same time, it must be remembered that an important function of farm animals is to convert into useful products material that would otherwise be wasted. By keeping a watch on the materials available it should be possible to dispose of practically all the feed available in a way which will ensure the best return.