DIVISION OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 523 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



BEEF CATTLE. 



CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA, ONT. 



REPGBT OF THE DOMINION ANIMAL HUSBANDMAN 

 E. S. ARCHIBALD, 3.A., B.S.A. 



BEEF CATTLE. 



No beef breeding work has been conducted on tbe Central Experimental Farm 

 since the removal, in 1911, of the Shorthorn herd from this Farm to the branch 

 Farm at Brandon, Man. With our present limited land area available for the raising 

 of forage (particularly alfalfa), and the almost complete absence of pasture, it is 

 impossible to carry on such work. Nevertheless, the need of data as to the most 

 economical methods of maintaining breeders and raising stockers and feeders, is 

 appreciated by this Division, and with a Farm extension, would receive prompt 

 attention. 



In the meantime, experimental work along the lines of steer feeding has leeu 

 continued. 



BEEP EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING. 



The experiment conducted with beef cattle this year was that of a comparison of 

 yearlings of different beef breeds. However, although the majority of the steers in lots 

 I, II, III and IV were just one year of age at the start, yet some of the steers, 

 especially in lot V were several months younger, which added to the inconclusivencss 

 of the test. 



The following details of the experiment and deductions from same are instructive 

 as to the profits or losses which may be expected from such methods. 



All lots were fed alike as to the kinds and proportions of roughage and grain. 



Ensilage or a mixture of ensilage and roots was fed throughout the entire year. 

 Both were valued at $2 per ton. 



Mixed clover and timothy hay was fed from January 20, 1912, to June 1, 1912, 

 and from October 5>, 1012, to January 5, 1913. This was valued at $7 per ton. 



Green feed, consisting of mixed peas and oats, was fed green during June, and as 

 cured hay during July and August, 1912, both valued at $8 per ton. 



The meal mixtures for the different periods valued at 1{ cents per pound as fol- 

 lows : — 



From January 13, 1912, to May 11, 1912, a mixture of — 



Bran 400 pounds. 



Ground oats 200 



Gluten meal 100 " 



From May 11, 1912, to January 5, 1913, a mixture of— 



Bran 600 pounds. * 



Gluten meal 300 



Banner feed 300 



All lots were stall-fed throughout the year, as no pasture was available. 



