Bulletin 142, Dairying in Florida


space is concerned; (5) there is less loss of feed when stored in
the silo than when stored in any other way; (6) the stock-carry-
ing ability of the farm is increased; (7) feed thus preserved is
palatable and relished by cattle; and (8) silage is economical
and convenient to feed.

 HOME-GROWN FEEDS NECESSARY
 The raising of crops on the farm suitable for milk production
is an important consideration in economical milk and butter pro-
duction. There is no future in the dairy business in Florida for
the man who buys all his feeds, both grain and roughage. It
may not be possible or profitable to grow all of the protein
necessary for feeding the herd, but it is very necessary that all
silage and other roughage needed be produced on the farm. In
addition to growing crops for silage, a large amount of velvet
beans should be grown for feed. Peanuts is another crop that
is becoming of greater importance as a dairy feed. It is not ad-
visable to feed the entire peanut crop, but rather to exchange
the peanuts for peanut meal and feed this instead of cottonseed
meal. In the past cottonseed meal has been the main protein
feed for dairy cows, but now that the price has been advanced
considerably, dairymen should and must grow velvet beans and
peanuts in larger quantity to supply the necessary protein feed.

 HOW FEED AFFECTS MILK
 It is well known that a dairy cow must be well fed in order to
 produce the maximum flow of milk. Approximately 60 percent
 of the feed given is required for maintaining the ordinary func-
 tions of the body, and only 40 percent goes to the production of
 milk or beef. Hence the necessity for giving a liberal allowance
 of feed if the maximum production is to be attained. However,
 there is always a wide variation among animals in the amount
 of milk produced, and to give more feed than is necessary to at-
 tain the maximum milk flow is unprofitable. Some cows pro-
 duce only a small amount of milk regardless of any increase in
 amount or change in kind of feed given. It is also important
 that the feed supplied should be nourishing, easily digested, pal-
 atable, succulent and appetizing.

 FEEDS WITH ODORS
 Feeds that have undesirable odors or a bitter taste must be
 fed with care and judgment be exercised or detrimental results