532 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, NAPPAN, N.S. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT— R. ROBERTSON. 



It is regrettable to note that on this Farm there is such a shortage of pasture and 

 field area that beef breeding stock cannot be kept. However, there are many problems 

 in steer feeding and finishing applicable to this and other parts of Eastern Canada 

 which demand attention. These are being handled as quickly as time and equipment 

 will allow. 



STEER FEEDING. 



On making my report oh March 31, 1912, forty-five steers under feeding experi- 

 ment were on hand. The experiment was of a comparative nature, and the results 

 from the different methods followed are instructive. The forty-five steers were divided 

 into three lots of fifteen steers each, and termed lot I, lot II and lot III. 



The different lots at the commencement of test were fed as follows : — 



Lot I. — Tied. Roots, 40 pounds, and good hay. 



Lot II. — Tied. Roots, 80 pounds, and poor hay. 



Lot III. — Loose. Roots, 80 pounds, and poor hay. 



Roots were decreased and meal increased from time to time during the feeding 

 period. 



The meal ration consisted of crushed oats 1 part, crushed barley 1 part, bran 2 

 parts, cottonseed meal 1 part and oil cake 1 part. This mixture cost 1£ cents per 

 pound. 



Roots and ensilage are valued at $2 per ton. 



Good hay is valued at $8 and poor hay at $7 per ton. 



Below is the report on the different lots for the entire feeding period. 



Steer Feeding Experiment, January 1, 1912, to April 30, 1912. 



Lot J. 



Total live weight of 15 steers, January 1. 1912 lb. 15,210 



Total live weight of 15 steers, April 30, 1912 " 18,135 



Increase to April 30, 1912 " 2,925 



Original weight of 15 steers, 15,210 pounds at 4-75 cents per pound $ 722 47 



Weight at finish of 15 steers, 18,135 pounds at 6-50 cents per pound.... $ 1,178 78 



Gross profit $ 456 31 



Amount of hay consumed lb. 28,815 



Amount of meal consumed " 7,710 



Amount of roots and ensilage consumed " 52,050 



Cos! of feed for lot 120 days $ 287 83 



Net profit $ 168 48 



Daily rate of gain per steer lb. 1-625 



Cost of 1 pound gain cts. 9-84 



Cost of feed per day per steer " 15-99 



Profit per steer $ 11 23 



Lot JI. 



Total live weight of 15 steers, January 1, 1912 ]b. 16.560 



Total live weight of 15 steers, April 30, 1912 " 19,185 



Increase to April 30, 1912 " 2,925 



