Extension
Date of this Version
5-15-1915
Abstract
SUMMARY.
1. A ration of corn and alfalfa hay produced the cheapest gains of any ration used. Furthermore, the steers fed corn and alfalfa hay made as rapid gains as did the steers on any other ration.
2. Had the alfalfa hay used in the first experiment cost $20 per ton, the average profit on the three lots receiving alfalfa would have been 15 per cent greater than the profit on the best one of the three lots not receiving alfalfa.
3. Cold pressed cottonseed cake did not give as good results, as regards either rate of gain or economy of gain, as did alfalfa hay in a ration for fattening steers.
4. The addition of cold pressed cottonseed cake to a ration of corn, silage, and alfalfa increased the cost of gain and lowered the profits on the steers.
5. The steers receiving silage without exception shed their coats early in the spring and at all times presented a sleek and sappy appearance.
6. Contrary to preceding experiments, a heavy feed of silage with alfalfa hay and corn gave as rapid gains as did either a medium or a light feed of silage with alfalfa hay and corn. The amount of silage which can best be fed to fattening steers apparently must be regarded as unsettled.
7. The steers fed silage in connection with corn and alfalfa suffered a very light shrinkage when shipped to market. Different amounts of silage seemingly had no effect upon the number of pounds shrinkage.
8. Where prairie hay was used in place of alfalfa, small and expensive gains resulted.
9. The individuality of a steer is a very important factor in the rate of gain. The average difference in gains made between the highest and lowest producing steer in each of fourteen different lots was 120 pounds. In practically all cases there was a greater variation in the daily gains made by steers in the same lot than there was in the average daily gains of the different lots.
10. Usually a considerable difference can be noted between poor and good feeder cattle, but sometimes even a careful study of steers does not reveal their feeding possibilities.
11. An advance of 8 cents per bushel in the price of corn increased the cost of gains $1 per 100 pounds.
12. In the second experiment, where a ration of corn and alfafa hay was fed, an increase of 1 cent per bushel in the price of corn had the same effect in increasing the cost of gains as did an increase of $1 per ton in the price of alfalfa hay.
Comments
BULLETIN NO. 151 (LIMITED EDITION)
The University of Nebraska. BULLETIN OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF NEBRASKA. VOLUME XXVII, Article VIII.