The Rural Voice, 1979-10, Page 42Milk production
improves
with extra protein
Dairymen can add dollars to their
pocketbooks by feeding extra protein to
milking cows. Supplying enough protein at
the proper times can improve milk
production.
Studies at the University of Guelph
indicate that three -year-olds and older
cows increase their milk production when
fed as much as 18 per cent protein.
Currently, only 14 to 16 per cent protein
supplement is recommended for lactating
cows.
Dr. D.G. Grieve, Department of Animal
and Poultry Science, has studied how
protein requirements change as a dairy
cow's lactation progresses.
''We became interested in the project
because a cow's milk production usually
exceeds her ability to consume enough
feed durnik the first month of lactation,"
says Dr. Grieve. "To make up the deficit,
she uses her body fat reserves and loses
weight."
A dairy cow has no proven protein
reserves, thus protein supplements are
crucial once she freshens. Concentrated
protein, such as soybean meal, is an ideal
booster.
Pinpointing exact protein needs could
improve feed efficiency and milk product-
ion because the trend of a cow's lactation is
established in the first few weeks.
Dairymen know that milk production
usually peaks about the fifth or sixth week
of lactation. But Dr. Grieve advises feeding
protein supplements until the cow's feed
consumption can sustain high milk vol-
umes.
How long is the extra protein needed
after calving? Dr. Grieve says his prelim-
inary data indicate maximum protein levels
should be maintained for at least 10 weeks.
If protein levels are reduced earlier, a
sharp decline in production results.
Research is in progress on protein
nutrition for two-year-old dairy cows. The
production curves of first -lactation cows
are not as dramatic as those of mature
cows. Less production stress suggests less
protein is probably required.
Accurate seed tests
saves time
A newly developed method for seed
viability testing will save time and give
more accurate results.
"Existing tests were time-consuming
and often it took an expert to interpret the
results. Also, these tests were sometimes
unreliable when a large number of dormant
seeds were examined," says Andrew
Hsiao, a weed physiologist at Agriculture
Canada's Regina Research Station.
Dr. Hsiao has been testing both culti-
vated oat varieties and wild oats.
Seeds are treated with a chlorine bleach,
a six per cent sodium hypochlorite solution.
They are then examined under a magnifier.
Viable seeds show sharply defined em-
bryos. Dead seeds have embryos that are
dull and blurred.
The whole test takes between four and
48 hours, depending on the oat variety
being tested.
"We found that the bleach not only
provided us with the actual seed vitability
test, but also dehulled the seeds. This
removed another time-consuming part of
Mailbox of the month
H & J Van Amersfoort
(Hullett township, Huron County)
our seed -testing procedures," Dr. Hsiao
says.
Tests began on wild oat seeds. Further
research determined the best conditions
for treating various oat varieties. For
hull -less cultivars such as Terra. Torch and
Vicar, only a short treatment period is
required. For others, such as Random,
Harmon and Clinton, presoaking in water
is necessary.
"Not only will this test help in wild oat
research. but it can also help in testing
commercial seed varieties for seed germin-
ation," Dr. Hsiao says.
SMYTN SNOWBLOWERS
Cutting Req'd Approx.
Width H.P. Auger Fan Weight Hoods
Rear Mount
72" (6 ft)
35 & up
Single
24" x 8"
700 Ib.
Manual
16"
84"
55
Single
30" x 8"
800 Ib.
Manual
20"
96"
70
Single
30" x 10"
950 Ib.
Hydraulic
20"
96"
100
14"
36" x 10"
1200 Ib.
Hydraulic
20"
108"
120 & up
20"
36" x 12"
2000 Ib.
Hydraulic
20"
SMYTH
Welding and Machine Shop
RR 2, Auburn, Ontario (519) 529-7212
PG. 40 THE RURAL VOICE/OCTOBER 1979
1