Care, Feed and Management of the Dairy Herd

Abstract

<p>Dairy farming is rapidly increasing in popularity in almost every section of Iowa because the dairy cow has characteristics which not only give her present popularity but also Insure it for all time to come.</p> <p>One of the chief advantages of dairy farming Is that the dairy cow fits admirably in diversified and Intensive farming where the farmer strives to produce the greatest possible Income from a small acreage and yet retain the fertility of his farm. In Europe, the dairy cow is the foundation of agriculture In the most prosperous countries, such as Denmark and Holland. Proof that she Is adapted to high priced land may be found on the Jersey Isle, where ground rentals run from $50 to $60 per acre annually, and in Holland where farms rent from $30 to $40 per acre. In both places land Is used largely for dairy farming. In Iowa, land Is constantly getting dearer, yet by using silos and soiling crops, tilling the farm Intensively and purchasing some concentrated nitrogenous foods, It is not out of the question to keep one cow to each acre of ground, and even more under certain conditions. Poultry and swine raising may be carried on most successfully on the dairy farm because of the feeding value of the skim milk, a valuable by-product.</p>