THE ADVANTAGES OF HAY FOR MILCH COWS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1676, 13 April 1904, Page 63

THE ADVANTAGES OF HAY FOR MILCH COWS

It is by no means always an easy matter. says “La Laiterie.” to decide upon a proper ration, for one’s cattle; and, apart from the. necessary nutritious foodistuffs given, it isi essential! to add sufficient volume to tlito ration to promote digestion ; it is also advisable—according to the way in which the ration is composed—to find .qnough dry matters to make up for the abundance of water which it may contain. It may, therefore, not be without interest to specify some of the advantages derived from hay, a good reserve of which should ba laid in stock by cattle owners. In the spring', the young grass, accompanied very frequently by cold weather, cause the evacuations of animals to be too liquid; this can. however, bei remedied if hay be given to the cattle morning and evening—before and after grazing!.

In summer, storms are sometimes followed by rains lasting for days, thereby necessitating milch cows being brought under cover- earlier. The animals will then he found to be very fond of the hay which is given to them, the important part that it plays in their feeding soon becoming apparent. In autumn, the nights are longer, the. grass wanting in consistency, and thus not constituting a sufficient ration, where ai me ally beverage should be given. Hay will also be found of great service at this time of year, to make up for the superabundance of liquid taken by the animal'.

In wintler, when turnips and beetroots are often, given ns a basis, the fact lua® to- be faced that too large a quantity of water is contained in. these foods; in this hay can again be given with the most satisfactory results.

The advantages of hay for cattle will therefore be at once apparent, and, from an economical point of view, it may be said that though the price of hay is higher'than that of straw, the former contains at least three times as much protein as the latter, which should more than compensate for the difference in price.' • - r ■■ ■•: -'