- DITISIOy OF AMAIAL El SB Ay DRY 325 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



FEEDING FOR BEEF. 



Three groups of steers of similar quality Avere fed under different conditions 

 during the winter of 1913-14. The cattle were divided at the beginning into three lots 

 as nearly equal in point of breeding, age, and conformation as was possible. One group 

 was fed in the barn in loose boxes, another in a corral without shelter except a straw 

 stack and with a very limited run. and a third was fed in the brush with free run, 

 having the brush and straw stack for shelter. The group fed in the barn had access 

 to water at all times, the group fed in the corral was watered at a large tank which 

 was kept open practically all the time by the use of a tank heater. The group in the 

 brush was watered through the-ice at a water hole in a small lake. A similar experi- 

 ment last year gave results showing the cost of gain less for the group fed in the corral 

 than those under other conditions. This year's results are somewhat contradictory, 

 the group fed inside showing cheapest gains. It is certain that the group fed inside 

 would show a heavier shipping shrinkage than either of those fed under outside con- 

 ditions. The inside group this year had the advantage over those fed inside a year 

 ago, m that water had been put into the barns this season and the inside steers were 

 able to drink at will, while those inside, a year ago, were watered only twice daily. 



The average cost of 1 pound of gain is less for the three groups than the cost of 

 gain in any year since 1909-10. Since the price charged for feed is higher for this 

 test than that of 1909-10, it is safe to say that the cost of gain this year as compared 

 Avith the cost of feed is. less than for any season since feeding trials began here. Green 

 feed (peas and oats cut green and cured as hay) is charged against the cattle at $10 

 per ton and, since 119 tons were cut from 35 acres, it is evident that this crop is a 

 paying one when sold at this rate. A mixture of oats, barley, and wheat made up of 

 about two-fifths oats, two-fifths barley, and one-fifth wheat constituted the grain 

 ration, which is charged at 1 cent per pound ground. A small charge is made to cover 

 cost of bedding. The selling price was only slightly in advance of the purchase price 

 and, considering this fact in conjunction with the fact, that feed consumed by the 

 cattle has been Avell sold, it is somewhat remarkable that even a small profit can be 

 shown. These results are further evidence of the value of live stock as a medium 

 for the most profitable marketing of grain and fodder. It is commonly believed to 

 be a difiicult matter to transform products, such as low grade grain and fodder crops, 

 into profits at the present time, yet when fed to steers these crops bring high prices. 



While tlie results this season indicate an advantage in favour of inside feeding, 

 it is well to remem'ber that those fed outside without shelter made good gains. The 

 fact that a prospective feeder does not feel able to erect shelter should not deter liim 

 .from undertaking cattle feeding. It should also be pointed out that a charge of $4 per 

 head might be made against the cattle fed in the barn to cover interest on the invest- 

 ment, and that three groups of steers would be required to be fed in the barn in the 

 course of a year to fully cover such interest charge. It is, therefore, doubtful as to 

 whetlier it would be possible to pay interest on such shelter by feeding cattle, even 

 ■with the same advantage secured in each test as in the trial, since it would scarcely be 

 practical at the ])rcscnt time to buy and turn off three groups per annum. Anotlier 

 advantage enjoyed by the inside group this year consisted in the fact that they were 

 protected from the cold weather, permitting good gains, even in the extreme cold. The 

 cattle Avere sold before warm weather made more rapid gains possible in the outcside 

 groups. 



All steers were dehorned in October, 1913, some time before the grain ration Avas 

 commenced, but after dangei' from flies was past. The dehorning did not appear to 

 interfere to any great extent with the gains made. 



LACOMBE. 



