DIM^IOX OF AMMAL Hl.'iBAyDRY 297 



SESSIONAL PAPtR No. 16 



BEEF CATTLE. 



CENTRAL EXPEROIEXTAL FARM, OTTAWA, ONT. 



REPORT OF THE DOMINION ANIMAL HUSBANDMAN 

 E. S. ARCHIBALD, B.A., B.S.A. 



As reported previously, no breeding herds of beef cattle have been maintained 

 on the Central Experimental Farm since the removal, in 1911, of the Shorthorn herd 

 from Ottawa to the brancji Farm at Brandon, Man., this owing to lack of pasture, 

 furage crops, and buildin-is necessary for such work. 



BEEF EXFERIMEXTAL FEEDING. 



Previous experiments have clearly demonstrated the fact that stall feeding of 

 stockers and thin butcher cattle during summer months as a rule leaves little if any 

 l)roflt. Hence during tlie past year no work was undertaken in the summer months. 

 In the early part of September a good bunch (thirty head) of 2-year-old stockers was 

 purchased preparatory to winter feeding experiments. These were dehorned and 

 tuberculin tested at once, and maintained on a preparatory feeding period durifig the 

 last tv?o Aveeks of. that month. On October 1 three experiments were started, compar- 

 ing three yrain rations with and without molasses and molasses meals. These experi- 

 ments promised interesting and valuable data, but unfortunately had to be discon- 

 tinued owing to the destruction of the steer barn by fire. 



However, at that time the Superintendent of the Experimental Farm at Xappan, 

 N.S.. was commencing steer purchases for experimental feeding, and it was considered 

 advisable to ship this lot of steers from Ottawa and incorporate some of the features 

 of the started experiment in the work at that Farm. See report of the Superintendent, 

 Ex]»erimental Farm. Nappan. N.S. 



It is hoped that such work may be re-established on this Farm during the coming 

 year, in temporary quarters, and that in the near future ample accommodation may 

 be provided for this most important line of work. 



FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR BEEF CATTLE. 



Below arc submitted inventories and returns for beef cattle on the Central Experi- 

 mental Farm during the year April 1, 1913, to March 31, 1914. 



RETURNS. 



By sale of ten finished steers $ 909 38 



By sale of fattened cows 178 45 



By sale ot twenty-foui- steers to E.xporimental Farm, 



Nappan 1,909 25 



By man-'.re, 240 tons at $1 240 00 



Gross returns $3,2:;.T 08 



E.XPENDITIRES. 



To feed consumed by steers and fattening cows. ... $ 26.") 10 

 To twenty-eight steers purchased September 12, 1913, 



at |7 a cwt 2,199 75 



To value of steers and fattening cows April 1, 1913 4."j4 30 



. To labour with beef animals 205 00 



Gross expenditure .?.124 15 



Net balance from beef cattle 112 93 



