FEEDING OF LIVE STOCK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 12

FEEDING OF LIVE STOCK.

. The series of articles now appearing in the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture by Mr J. M'Linden, M.R.C.V S on the feeding of live stock are timely and full of interest to stock owners. Admittedly our breeders of sheep, cattle, and horses possess considerable knowledge in regard to breeding, have more than a nodding acquaintance with the value of weeding or rejecting the culls in the stud or herd, as the case may be, but do not in a general way appreciate the various factors which go to make up the art of feeding stock to the best advantage. Some producers there are, of course, who recognise that the nutrition of stock involves the feeding of balanced rations for best results, whether in ordinary stock fattening processes or in milk production and the growth of wool, and feed, according to the requirements of stock, substances containing protein, carbohydrates, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, and potash. Just as these are essential to the pasture—as experience has taught—so are they essential to live stock, and in this connection it is probable that if the herbage received the requisite treatment, there would be little need for helpful concentrates, licks, etc. On the other hand, there are producers who view their stock feed from the point of view of quantity rather than quality, and who are sceptical in their estimates regarding pastures which have been top-dressed. In those countries where natural conditions compel the stock to be fed on substances other than grass, hay, and grain and root crops, it is essential that farmers should be familiar with the varying qualities of bought-in foodstuffs, as these subsidiary foods are generally very expensive. It is, in a great measure, also important that New Zealand dairy farmers should appreciate the fact that their ordinary grass paddocks at times ill suffice the requirements of dairy cows. Grasses vary in quality acording to the type of soil in which they are grown. All ryegrass or cocksfoot grass, etc., have not the same feeding values. It is well to realise this fact in viewing any grassed country. Daily cows, says Mr M'Linden, require foods which will supply them with an adequate amount of protein if they are to produce their maximum. Heavy production means that greater quantities of mineral matter must be supplied, or the cow will suffer in health. As for the carbohydrate portion, there is little fear of the cow fed on home-grown foods not receiving enough; but this, unfortunately, cannot be said with regard to the amount of protein fed, and also the amount of mineral supplied. Further, there is an important fact also to be contended with. If the amount of carbohydrates fed should be too much in comparison with the amount of protein (a very likely thing with home-grown crops), then the value of the protein is reduced, because it is not digested to the same extent. In other words, excess of starchy foods reduces the digestibility of the protein portion of the. diet. The converse—a liberal supply of pro-tein-increases digestibility of all the diet. This factor is referred to as the “ balance of nutrients/’ It not only includes the digestible protein and digestible carbohydrate equivalent, but also the ash or mineral portion, the vitamins, and what is described as the “ quality ” of the protein. Quality in this connection refers to the suitability . of a protein for maintaining health. Although the different organic constituents can to a very great extent be substituted one for another, protein is absolutely essential for the development of the foetus and milk production. Although we recognise that the principal factors which influence the amount and quality of a cow’s milk are breed, individuality, age, frequency of milking, condition, excitement, and climatic conditions,probably fully as much depends upon the amount and kind of food fed to the dairy cow. It is not enough to maintain her; it is from the extra food eaten shat the returns of the farm are going ’.b come, and she should be fed in accordance with production. It

is generally recognised that no amount of feeding, however rich and liberal, will alter the composition or quality of milk to any great degree, but it is possible to markedly increase the quantity of milk secreted, and thus increase the yield of butter-fat. The food is perhaps the all-important factor in the management of the dairy cow, and it is the dairy farmer’s business to provide her with the quantity and quality she requires, so that she will receive her maximum production. Good pasture grass is the best of succulent feed for dairy cows, but as it is now going off it is necessary, in order to maintain the milk flow, to feed some auxiliary forage, such as late sown oats and peas, or vetches, etc., or make use of silage or well-saved clover hay, and thus endeavour to practise what some of us preach—economic production.