DIVISION OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 539 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION, LACGMBE, ALTA. 

 REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT— G. H. HUTTON, B.S.A. 



BREEDING CATTLE. 



A herd of Aberdeen Angus was established during' the year, containing blood of 

 many famous strains, as represented by good individuals. The herd numbers twenty 

 head and is headed by 'Elm Park Ringleader 7th -2801, 117826.' This is an excel- 

 lent foundation herd with which to conduct breeding work. 



FEEDING FOR BEEF. 



Three groups of steers have been on feed during the winter of 1912-13. Each 

 group was made up equally, as far as possible, with reference to breed, age, weight 

 and quality. The advantage in the matter of weight was given to the group in- 

 tended for inside feeding. The cattle were two and three years old, and there were 

 twelve in each of the three groups. A fourth group of thirteen head was also fed, 

 but were handled in exactly the same manner as group No. 3. They were the poorest 

 and smallest group to begin with and, since they represented the culls of the entire 

 purchase, the results need not be considered except in so far as they have a bearing 

 upon the gain made by average stock available for feeding. These were not up to 

 the average and did not reach a standard of sufficient merit to bring the price 

 secured for the better class of cattle. These cull cattle were sold at six cents per 

 pound, straight weight, to the Swift Canadian Co., Ltd., who were also the buyer-; 

 of the groups used in the experimental feeding, at seven and one-half cents, subject 

 to a five per cent shrinkage. Delivery was made on March 15. The eight small 

 steers from the bunch of culls made a loss of forty-four cents per head, but the aver- 

 age profit for the forty-nine head, after paying for all feed at market prices shown 

 in the tables, was $10.56 per head. These figures show the advantage of feeding 

 larger cattle and of better breeding to secure larger cattle at the same age. A num- 

 ber of young cattle were fed this year that made good profits, but they were of good 

 type to begin with and of good size for their age. One steer was sold, which was 

 less than two years old, that weighed 1,105 pounds, and brought $78.75, being con- 

 sidered good enough for coast trade. He was a good killer and showed the proba- 

 bility of a very small percentage of waste. 



The three groups were fed on exactly the same feeds, but were given different 

 accommodation. Group No. 1 was fed in the barn in box stalls, which were kept well 

 bedded and cleaned at regular intervals. They were not let out at all except once 

 each month, for the purpose of being weighed. They had water twice a day, though 

 it was practically before them throughout the day. They were fed straw in their 

 mangers, as well as green feed and hay during the last three weeks of the feeding 

 period, as were also the other two groups. 



Group No. 2 was fed in the corral, having but a very limited run, being con- 

 fined near the buildings. These steers had water before them at all times and were 

 fed their roughage in the feeding racks about the corral. They got their straw at 

 the straw-stack. The water in the tank was kept free from ice by the use of a tank 

 heater. 



