206 EXPERIMENT STATION— BULLETINS. 



NO. 44.— FARM DEPARTMENT. 

 FEEDING STEERS OF DIFFERENT BREEDS. 



By request of the Michigan Galloway and Holstein Cattle Breeders' Associa- 

 tions, the bulletins heretofore published on the feeding of steers of different 

 breeds are, in substance, published with this final report, as an appendix, so 

 that the complete report of the experiment is contained in this bulletin. 



The last report carried the steers to October 10, 1887. The November 

 following they were shown at the Chicago Fat Stock Show, attracting some 

 attention from those who were familiar with the object of the experiment, 

 and who knew that the aim had been to keep them in a thriving, growing 

 condition, as they were to be carried another year. To have had them in the 

 pink of perfection at this time would have increased many fold the chances 

 of failure in the last year's feeding. Some visitors, who could only see merit 

 in animals carrying great masses of flesh, passed our exhibit with a kind of 

 seini-patronizing air, if not a direct criticism on the leanness of the cattle. 

 They did not stop for weights, which showed plainly that their growth was 

 above the average. "Many men of many minds," and I was amused by the 

 grim courtesy of a Kansas City gentleman who took the pains to return a 

 bulletin that had been given him, with the endorsement: " While the object 

 sought to be obtained is well worthy a trial, yet from exhibit at Chicago, 

 allow me to suggest that if the feeding was done by scientific feeders it would 

 be better for the animals to be turned over to the unscientific feeders." 



But there were many thoughtful men who stopped long enough to learn 

 what the exhibit meant, and were not slow to pronounce the work important 

 and in the right direction. So that on the whole I was pleased with the 

 results of the show. 



The steers were a good deal worried in going to Chicago. Were delayed 

 somewhat and crowded on the car, and it took them several days to recover 

 what they had lost by the trip. Mr. Robert Tulis had them in charge, and 

 was assisted at the show by sophomores W. J. Robinson of Detroit and 0. A. 

 Turner of Grand Rapids. 



The steers, while feeding in the main well, did not make as great gains 

 •during the winter as I had looked for. They were thriving and vigorous, 

 however, and, with a few exceptions, made some advance in weight each 

 month. They were allowed the run of a small yard daily for some three 

 hours, for exercise, and fed and cared for in the same manner as noticed 

 heretofore. 



On June 1, Robert Tullis, the trusty Scotchman who had looked after the 

 steers since the feeding began, decided to go to his family in Australia, and 

 -June 15, Thomas Jack took his place, and had charge of the lot until they 

 were slaughtered in Chicago. He has proved himself an efficient and reliable 

 helper, and to his prompt and painstaking effort in carrying out my instruc- 

 tions, much of the credit of the final finish is due. He is in charge of the 

 new lot just put in the barns for the second test. The last of May, when the 

 pasture was " a full bite," we accustomed the steers to grass gradually, and, 

 for a couple of months, they got a good portion of their feed in the fields, 

 adjoining the barn. They consumed only a small amount of grain during 

 this period, as reference to the tables will show, and but little hay. I have 



