THE FEEDING OF LIVE-STOCK.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3, 20 March 1928, Page 184

THE FEEDING OF LIVE-STOCK.

J. McLinden,

M.R.C.V.S., N.D.A., Officer in Charge, Animal Husbandry Branch, Live-stock Division.

111. FOODSTUFFS IN COMMON USE.

The present series of articles has so far dealt with the chief constituents in the plant foods which are utilized by stock. An endeavour has been made to explain in simple terms what the constituents are, and for what purposes they are used by the stock.

To summarize, it has been stated that the chief plant-constituents used are the proteins, the carbohydrates, the fats or oils, the- ash or mineral portions, the vitamins, and, lastly, water. s lt is from these substances that the necessary elements for growth, fattening, milking, &c., are derived. They are consumed, digested, and passed through a process of elaboration, according to the type of stock, before being stored in the animal body or used for milk-production, &c.

It has been explained how the protein or the nitrogenous portion may be utilized in necessity to replace a deficiency in the carbohydrates, and how the converse. cannot take place. But where farm crops constitute the chief source of food it may be concluded that the utilization of ■ proteins for this purpose will never occur, it being more likely that stock will suffer a partial protein starvation on home-grown foods unless care be exercised.

The discussion then passed on to consider the uses made of the various food materials, and the influence of the food on the different processes. The effect of a liberal protein-supply on milk-production was stressed as a very important factor. It both increases and stimulates production.

These aspects of the subject having been dealt with, attention will now be directed to the various foodstuffs in common use. At the present day this constitutes rather a formidable list of materials. A -few of the more. important concentrates should be of interest 'to a small section of the community, but special attention will be given to homegrown foods. PASTURE. There is a continuous change all over the country, a gradual passing from one type to another from the point of view of both quality and type of grasses which go to make the pasture. As one passes from fertile valleys up to the high ranges this change in quality, although possibly not observed in its gradual course' on adjacent farms, becomes very obvious at either extremity. In the . high ranges nothing but the poorer grasses can be maintained, so that before the season advances too far lambs for meatproduction have usually to be removed and fattened off on more liberal and nutritious places. In many instances, in fact, young breeding-stock would greatly benefit in constitution if they could be wintered off. Inclement weather plays a very important part with the stock, but it also affects their grazings. The greatest difficulty for hill stock is to pass the spring of the year successfully. This is the season when their

food-supplies are down to a minimum, and, unfortunately, little can be done to avoid it'owing to the difficult. nature of the country, ordinary methods of grassland-improvement frequently being impracticable. ■ •

Another type of grassland which should be noted by all stockmen is that with a calcareous soil. This is always very healthy stockcountry and invariably easily handled ; it is very amenable to treatment and always improves greatly with good husbandry. It is also greatly benefited where a little cultivation is done for the stock. .

The remaining types of permanent pasture, although varying very much as a whole, may be treated as one. The grasslands of New Zealand outside the aforementioned may nearly all be regarded as in this class, as comparatively little land is laid down to temporary pasture. Permanent pasture is frequently held to be the best type obtainable. That is rather a big assertion to make, but it will be agreed that if well cared for and in good heart it is very economical and productive. Unfortunately, it suffers very greatly and becomes of .low productivity if not given a great deal of attention, which frequently requires much hard thought.

So far as New Zealand is concerned, nature takes the major part of the responsibility in maintaining the pastures. Growth is normally abundant and luxuriant for a great part of the yearso much so that one finds considerable indifference to its management among a fairly large number of farmers. Although conditions are so suitable to growth, it must be remembered that all types of grasses are encouraged, and if the farmer does not maintain a continuous effort inferior species will very soon gain the upper hand of the finer grasses, even to their complete exclusion. Grassland, being the staple diet of our stock, should receive all the attention which it requires. The quality of the stock and the quality of their feeding are two things which cannot be separated. The one is just as important as the other.

Perhaps the greatest drawback to permanent pasture is its liability to become seriously fouled. One frequently hears of land being “ pigsick ” or “ cattle - sick ” (no specific disease in New Zealand is now referred to), but the truth of the matter is more plainly and truly described when the land is said to be fouled or contaminated. As regards short-rotation or temporary pastures, the chief benefit lies in their being composed of a greater proportion of superior grasses and cleaner in every respect. They are thus more healthy for stock. This type of pasture is only possible where a limited amount of cropping is being carried on. ' Pasture-management. " • , The management of pastures from the point of view of animal husbandry is not, on the whole, a very difficult or complicated procedure. The first essential to be grasped by the farmer concerns the methods of grazing adopted by the various kinds of stock. The horse, for example, is a very selective grazer. Wherever horses are grazed the paddock becomes very patchy, because he grazes only certain portions, leaving the remainder to grow coarse. Again, it must be remembered that although the horse may graze certain areas closely he only does that of necessity, as he grazes by means of his prehensile lips. The horse is the most difficult animal to pasture of all, and, where possible, should never be allowed to graze alone.

Sheep, again, graze very closely, and devour all the fine bottom grasses, and leave the others ; this is the great difficulty with them. Dairy cattle, on the other hand, are very uniform grazers, grazing quite freely and only avoiding the very coarse grasses.

It may be seen from the foregoing brief remarks that, by a judicious manipulation of stock, pastures may be kept under proper control. That, of course, does not mean that the great growth of summer-time can be properly controlled or eaten and kept down by stock alone. Pasture can only permit of an even number of stock being maintained. This results in overstocking during the winter season and understocking during the summer. This cannot be easily avoided, which is unfortunate, for although the grasses are not all eaten they lose very considerably in value as they reach maturity.

About this same period aftermath becomes available, and adds greatly to the grazing, especially for dairy cows. Where the aftermath is from newly sown grass it should be very lightly grazed. It benefits by a light grazing, but if that cannot be done it is better left without stock till the spring. Sheep especially may do considerable damage to young grass. In many cases it may be advisable for autumn purposes to have some specially sown crop available for stock-feeding. In very few cases, in fact, would this fail to be beneficial.

Spring and autumn are the trying times for the pastures, and if grassland is too heavily stocked immeasurable damage will be done to farm and stock alike. Care is necessary and judgment required to keep land stocked to its greatest capacity, and the only possible way that this can be safely done is by having adequate resources of other foodstuffs available.

For pasture to be consistently nutritious it should be liberally manured and as completely as requirements demand. This subject will not be discussed here, except for one —namely, that lime is the most health-giving material which the farmer has for his stock. Lime should be used wherever circumstances allow. In general, pasture land gives the best returns where grazed and rested alternately. ' . ROOT CROPS. Roots provide the great bulk of the succulent roughage for winter use. Where they can be grown successfully they are a valuable type of food and greatly. relished by farm stock. The main objection is their cost of production, and in some cases the difficulty in growing them. But roots fill a very special purpose. They have a very beneficial effect on the health and production of milking-cows, ewes, and other stock. The nutritive value of roots lies in their carbohydrate content, which is chiefly in the form of sugar, and that fact explains why they are easily assimilated. Protein and fat may be regarded as deficient in them. The growing of roots serves a twofold purpose —it is a cleaning crop for the land as well as a source of food. The first purpose is often not fully taken advantage of. .

To obtain the greatest returns from a root crop dairy stock ought to be rationed, and sheep should be folded on to a limited area and that cleaned up before the stock is allowed to move on. The method frequently adopted of allowing the stock to roam all over a root

paddock has really nothing in its favour. The method is fundamentally wrong ; it is wasteful, or, rather, extravagant ; it is not conducive to good health, and it generally makes a quagmire of the land. In too many instances it must be described as the limit of carelessness. But, even so, some benefit is obtained by the stock. Roots have a characteristic laxative effect, which is very beneficial, especially to dairy cows.

For pigs, roots form a very valuable supplementary food. Often the animals are allowed to feed the crop off ; but better results, of course, are obtained when the roots are pulled and fed with other food. When pigs are being hand-fed about 5 lb. of roots per day is as much as will be consumed. As fattening advances the roots should be reduced in daily quantity and given in small amounts.

Turnips and Swedes. —-The storage of roots greatly enhances their feeding-value, owing to a rise in the sugar content, especially in swedes. This root, therefore, should be reserved for winter and early spring use. Swedes especially should not be fed when freshly pulled. The value of turnips over swedes lies in the fact that they ripen earlier and are ready for use in autumn. This, having regard to their composition, makes them a useful supplement to pastures which are failing Frosted leaves of turnips may cause serious digestive troubles.

Mangolds. Mangolds are very useful in the dairy herd for later use, or, rather, after the swedes are finished and spring growth has not yet commenced. They have a slightly higher feeding-value than swedes, this being due to an increase in the sugar content and other soluble carbohydrates. Newly lifted mangolds have a very severe laxative effect. They should always be pulled and allowed to lie a considerable time before feeding hours, but days, or even weeks. Mangolds should not be fed continuously to male sheep, as they may cause the deposition of urinary calculi (gravel in the water).

Carrots. Carrots are considered particularly valuable as . a horsefeed, but they are also fed to cows. The red or yellow varieties impart a beautiful rich colour to the milk, owing to the colouring-matter, carotin, which they contain. In some districts carrots are grown as a supplementary forage for sheep. Carrots have a slightly higher feedingvalue than mangolds. For feeding, carrots should be regarded as having an equivalent value of 7 lb. to 1 lb. of oats. They contain the same amount of dry matter as potatoes, but only half the feedingvalue. Raw carrots, however, are more valuable - than raw potatoes. They are excellent' feeding for sick animals. Horses in work should receive from 6 lb. to 8 lb. per day Rape is used either for pasturage or as a soiling crop for sheep and swine, but it may be cut and fed green to cattle, having proved an excellent feed for all three classes of stock. Owing to its high water content and its narrow albuminoid ratio (1 : 4-3) it does not feed well alone, but ought to be fed along with low-protein feeds, such as maize, cereals, and wheat middlings, or with pasture or hay. It is a valuable crop, especially for autumn use, more particularly in the fattening of lambs and sheep.

Kales, Cabbage, — These form a very useful feed for autumn use when pastures are failing, but are no better than some other more cheaply produced auxiliary crops.

Pumpkins. This crop has not assumed very great importance as a feed, but when grown is fed to cattle, sheep, or swine., In composition it . resembles quite closely the turnip. Some feeders are doubtful about the value of the seeds, but these , should never be wasted. - ■

■ Potatoes. — The potato is a carbonaceous food, containing as it does 2i per cent, of carbohydrates. It has the smallest water, content of all roots,” and therefore its feeding-value is higher than any other root crop. Potatoes make a very satisfactory feed, but dairy cows should not receive more than 20 lb. per day. Potatoes, are very liable to cause digestive troubles ; the starch-grains are very large, and this makes them difficult of digestion , when. raw, except to herbivora — example, dairy cattle. When potato feeding to any stock commences, the potatoes should be introduced gradually into the ration. Cooked potatoes are an excellent food for pigs, especially finishing pigs ; they should never be fed raw, or digestive troubles are sure to follow. When comparing potatoes with meal in pig-feeding, 4 lb. of potatoes should be regarded as being equal, to 1 lb. of barley-meal. With dairy cattle 6 lb. of raw potatoes is equal in feeding-value to 1 lb. of mixed meal. Old sprouted potatoes should have the sprouts removed before feeding, as poisoning may result from a substance called solanin. In Germany dried potatoes are held to be as valuable for the feeding of horses as oats. C

Artichokes. —Jerusalem artichokes are the common winter feed for pigs ; they are rarely fed to cattle or horses. Although so frequently made the sole feed for pigs, the reason these animals do not thrive so well on them alone is that they contain too little protein for a pig’s requirements. Some other food must be added to provide this for successful rearing. The large stems and leaves of the - artichoke, if cut off above ground, make excellent green feed for sheep, young cattle, and even dairy cows. If cut when 6 ft. high, the yield of tubers is not appreciably affected. The great feeding-value placed upon artichokes should be taken with reserve. (To be continued.)