MINERALS TO THE DAIRY COW.

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 10

MINERALS TO THE DAIRY COW.

It has been contended before now, that the supply of mineral matter to the dairycow is the limiting factor in milk production. It depends how you look upon this matter of feeding. It is as important as breeding, and yet any old grass paddock is deemed “good enough’’ for the dairy cow, and after she has done her very best at the pail during the season. One hundred pounds 6f milk contains on the average ,751 b of mineral matter, so that a cow giving upwards of 401 b of milk daily is producing about five ounces of mineral matter daily. In addition to the mineral matter which is necessary for milk production, a considerable quantity is needed for the proper development of the foetus, especially during the last months of pregnancy. If not supplied a call is made upon that stored in the body (mainly in the bones). If this is depleted through a careless disregard of a cow’s requirements, the milk flow will be affected adversely, for Nature will not alter the composition or development of milk nor interrupt the bodilyfunctions of the mother or the development of the foetus. Generally feed conditions are good during the summer in respect to mineral supplies, but in cjses of heavy milk production and advancing pregnancy, it may be advisable to supplysome supplementary mineral ration. “Good’’ pasture makes a satisfactory food, but “bad” pasture is not to a cow’s liking, and it is she who should be studied. Such a food stuff as bran may be out of the question, but there is nothing better than a good legume such as lucerne, red or other of the ordinary clovers grown on tue farm. These are quite well able to supply the mineral requirement of dairy cows if fed generously. When an extra supply of mineral matter is deemed necessary, it may take the form of steamed edible bone meal and ground rock phosphate, one pound of each to every 1001 b of meal, while salt should at times be available. Instead of neglecting the dairy cow during the rest period, she should be attended to in respect to her feed, otherwise the output of the subsequent milking season is jeopardised. Among the different minerals that have been recommended for feeding to dairycows, none has been recommended more frequently by colleges and experiment stations (notes an exchange) than special steam bone meal. This is a comparatively new product placed upon the market especially suited for dairy cattle feeding purposes. 'lt is an entirely different product than fertiliser steam bone meal or raw bone meal, and must not be confused with these products, which are unsuited for feeding purposes. Special steam bone meal is made only- from carefullv selected fresh, clean bones, and is really a byeproduct of the gelatine making industry, so that the special steam bone meal is sufficiently clean that it could be very well used for human consumption. In the process of manufacture of special steam bone meal, the bone is subjected to steam under pressure at high temperature, and is then afterwards extracted with naptha and dried and ground. In this way there is positively no opportunity whatsoever for the transmission of any disease by the feeding of this special steam bone meal. By the feeding of this special steam bone meal to a dairy herd, one is insured against a decreased production due to an inadequate mineral supply, and at the same time one has a healthier, thriftier, and more profitable herd. This special steam bone meal is best fed mixed right in to the concentrate portion to the extent of two or three pounds uer hundred pounds of feed. In this waycattle are supplied with ample quantities of calcium and phosphorus, the two minerals in (which our ordinary dailyrations are most apt to be deficient.