WINTER FEEDING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1685, 15 June 1904, Page 64

WINTER FEEDING

The following are given by “Merlin” in the “jtield,” as supplying a basis upon which a feeder may work. For a winter ration, in which mangels, hay. and straw are supplied, the roots are given at the rate of 251 b per day, the hay 151 b, straw chaff 41b to 51b, while 101 b of a mixture of bran, cake, and meal provides the balance. IThe cows in this case would ob tain about 1441 b of carbohydrates, slightly more than -Jib of fat or oil, and from 2|lb to 31b of albuminoids, all digestible, tne ratio being about lib of albuminoids to 541 b of carbohydrates and fat, and this ration should be sufficient for cows of large size, certainly over 10001 b in weight. For very large animals, intended to supply a large yield of milk, it may be supplemented by half a bushel of grains. Ii tnis is impossible the mangels may bo increased in quantity or replaced by cabbages. In any cases it will be found that a ration of ‘this kind, thoroughly well mixed, the roots and part of the liay and straw being pulped and chaffed, and the whole turned over together upon a eoncreue floor, and not supplied to the stock till it has commenced to ferment and has heated, will prove more beneficial than where the foods are given separately and are quite cold.