Show shortage of food in early pasture I 1 impossible hip possible for dairy herd to get enough to hold weight strength by john A arey arcy Ext extension enlon dairy specialist ci cl alist aliat north carolina state Coll college cre service it Is false economy to make cattle depend entirely on pasturage for roughage at this season of the year yet many dairymen are inclined to do so on account of the usual shortage of rough feeds in the spring the belief prevalent that young grass will supply a sufficient amount of nourishment for the cattle immature grass Is about do 00 per cent water and it is physically impossible for cattle to eat enough of it to maintain their bodyweight and strength and produce a profitable milk flow such practices are also liable to result to in the cows eating weeds wild onions and buds in an effort to get a sufficient ration when they do tills this their milk Is unpalatable and not good tor for drinking or butter making dry roughage provides the bulk feed needed and also much nourishment that Is essential to constant and profitable milk production another factor in heavy grazing of young pastures Is the dama damage 0 done to the sod by extensive tramping and grazing before the soil has dried out the result will be a greatly curtailed yield later ln in the year temporary grazing can be provided by such grazing and soiling crops as cereals sown in tile the fall later in the summer when permanent pastures are in good condition the cows can gradually be introduced to a more substantial green diet however wever a grain ration is needed at all times |