The weight of the different cows remained practically uniform throughout the experiment, except that there was a slight gain in weight for all cows in Groups 1 and 2.

Following is a summary of the average weights per cow given on the alfalfa hay ration as compared with the soiling crop ration:

Both groups maintained their production exceptionally well throughout the entire 100 days. The average production of each group during the first experimental period was practically the same as the average production in the second experimental period. This not only holds true in the case where Group 1 is changed from alfalfa to soiling crops, but it is also true of Group 2 where the change has been made from soiling crops to alfalfa. The weather conditions during the second experimental period were much more favorable than during the first, and this probably accounts to a cretain extent, for the exceptional way in which both groups maintained their production during the 100 days they were on experiment.

A summary of the milk and butterfat production on the different rations is as follows:

Costs of Production.

In order that the cost of production when the alfalfa hay ration was fed, might be compared with the cost with soiling crops, the feeds used have been given a value which corresponds to the market value of the feeds at the present time; and the cost of feed, profit over feed cost, etc., has been figured with each ration.

Table No. 2 gives a summary of the production on each ration, with the cost of feed and profit over feed cost. In estimating this cost, the following values were placed on the different feeds. Roughage-Alfalfa hay, $20; ensilage, $5; soiling crops, $5. Concentrates-Corn meal, $32; gluten, $30; distillers' grains, $32; cotton seed meal, $32; wheat bran, $28; beet pulp, $28.

The question as to which is the most economical feed can be decided only by the cost per ton of the alfalfa, as compared with the cost per ton of the soiling crops. Generally speaking, where alfalfa can be raised in large quantities at a low cost, this also applies to soiling crops. Another factor which must be considered in connection with the soiling crop ration is that a great deal of time is required in cutting and hauling a certain amount to the barn each day. This necessitates extra work and should be taken into consideration in the cost of the soiling crops as a feed.

Table No. 2.

Yield and Costs of Producing Milk and Butterfat.

RATIONS.

%

Lbs.

Lbs. 80 10960.2 3.27 358.45 $254.81 $153.90 $100.91 $ 030 $.42 $1.64 80 11097.1, 3.29 364.96 258.06 132.07 125.99] .025) .36 1.95

Summary.

1. Records carefully taken during the experimental periods show that the total average weight of Group 1 and 2 on the alfalfa hay ration was practically the same as an the soiling crop ration. The average weight of Group 1 and 2 on the alfalfa hay ration was 951 pounds and the average weight of Group 1 and 2 on the Soiling crop ration 961 pounds.

2. The production of both Group 1 and 2 remained remarkably constant during the entire experiment on both the alfalfa hay and soiling crop rations.

3. Total production of milk from both Groups on the alfalfa hay ration was 10960 pounds, as compared with 11097 pounds on the soiling

crop ration, and the average daily production was 22.6 pounds when alfalfa was fed as compared with 23.1 pounds on the soiling crop ration.

4. Percentage of butterfat and pounds of fat was as follows: 3.27 per cent. fat, 358.4 pounds fat on the alfalfa hay ration, and 3.29 per cent. fat and 364.9 pounds fat on the soiling crop ration.

5. Expressed in percentages, the soiling crop ration produced 1.2 per cent. more milk and 1.8 per cent. more fat than the alfalfa hay ration.

6. Based on the prices given, the cost of feed was $153.90 and the profit over feed cost $100.91 on the alfalfa hay ration, as compared to a feed cost of $132.07 and profit over feed cost of $125.99 on the soiling crop ration.

7. For every pound of alfalfa hay that was fed 1.9 pounds milk was produced, and it required 2.68 pounds of green alfalfa fed in the form of a soiling crop to produce 1.9 pounds of milk.

FEEDING EXPERIMENT.

Silage versus Soiling Crops as a feed for Dairy Calves and Heifers.

Experiments conducted with corn silage have shown that it is one of the most economical feeds that can be fed to cows producing milk. One of the most important advantages in its favor is the fact that it can be economically stored in large amounts and can be fed at any time during the year. It has proved to be of great value in supplementing pasture during the Summer, when dry weather has caused a shortage of pasture grass.

As silage has proved to be such a valuable feed during the Summer for dairy cows, it suggests the question as to whether it is as economical to feed for growing calves and heifers as it is for milk production. It was the object of this experiment to determine the effect of feeding silage, as compared with soiling crops to calves and heifers.

Plan.

Six calves and six yearling heifers were selected for conducting the experiment, and were divided into two groups, known as Groups 1 and 2. Each group is made up of three calves several months of age, and three heifers over one year old. Care was taken to select calves and heifers for each group, so that the average weight and age would be practically the same. The arrangement of groups during the feeding experiment was the same as in the last experiment.

The preliminary periods are allowed in order that the calves might become accustomed to the rations, and results of the experiment are drawn from data collected during the experimental periods only.

During the first preliminary and experimental periods Group I received soiling crops, while Group 2 received Alfalfa hay and silage. At the end of the first experimental period the groups were alternated, Group 2 receiving the soiling crop ration and Group 1 the silage ration. During the entire experiment each group was kept under the same conditions. Yearling heifers were turned out in an exercise yard regu

larly, and the younger calves were kept in pens in the barn. Care was taken to see that all calves received the same exercise during the experiment. Both groups were fed regularly at the same hour of the day, and weighed at the same hour of the day. Total weight of Group 1 at the time the experiment began was 1805 and the total weight of Group 2, 1868. Average age of animals in Group I was 7 months, and in Group 2, 72 months

Table No. 1 gives in detail the ration fed to both Group 1 and 2. The soiling crops are considered together and an average analysis given of the different kinds of feed. Soiling crops consisted of green alfalfa for practically the entire period. During a short time, in the second experimental period, green soy beans were fed in place of alfalfa, and for a short time during the first experimental period green oats and peas were supplemented. An average analysis of the three soiling crops is given in this table. The summary shows that the average daily soiling crop ration is practically the same as the silage ration, and the grain mixture fed remained the same during the experiment. These rations were compounded at the time the experiment started and no change was made except in the kind of soiling crops. During the first ten-day period the calves were allowed to consume all of the grain and roughage they wanted, and this was fed throughout the entire experi

ment, except in a few cases where the calves refused to eat the total amount. In this case the feed refused was deducted from the total amount fed and figures given represent the actual amount consumed.

Table No. 2-Nutrients Furnished in Experimental Periods.

Table No. 2 gives the approximate nutriments contained in each of the experimental rations, together with the requirements for the average calf in Groups 1 and 2. These requirements are based on Haecker's Maintenance Standard for milk production,and an excess of protein and carbohydrates was allowed for the growing animals. Each ration contains practically the same amount of protein and carbohydartes.

Weights of Calves.

All calves were weighed regularly every 10 days throughout the experiment. There was considerable variation in the average daily gain per day in different periods. This seemed to be due to weather conditions rather than to the feed fed. All calves were in a normal condition during all periods and any variation in gains during different periods is not due to scouring or any other abnormal physical condition of the animals.

Although there is this variation in gains during different periods, the average gain in weight during the entire experiment is practically the same in both groups. Where there is a comparatively small gain during one 10-day period, it seems to be made up during the next. The cause of this variation offers an interesting field for continued investigation, as there is a similar variation in the average rate of gain from one month to another of all calves raised in the dairy herd.