EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN'S. 327 



FEEDING TESTS FOR WINTER OF 1920-21. 



Simflower Silage vs. Pea and Oat Silasje. 



't5^ 



During the winter of 1920-1921 comparative results were observed on 

 the use of sunflower silage vs. pea and oat silage. Eleven tons of pea and 

 oat silage had been placed in the center of the silo vdih. sunflower silage on 

 the bottom and top of the silo. The sam.e grain and hay ration was used 

 with both types of silage and the same care given. The change from sun- 

 flower silage to pea and oat silage was made January 17th and the change 

 back to sunflower silage was made on February 13th. 



Careful milk records of the herd were kept wdth the following results: 



Average daily total milk production for the last 15 days before changing 

 from sunflowers to pea and oat silage was 484.6 pounds. 



Average for the 27 daj^s while being fed on the pea and oat silage was 483.8 

 pounds. 



Average daily production for the first 15 days after making the change 

 back to sunflower silage was 466.2 pomids. 



The cows relished both types of silage about equally well, but owing to 

 the bulkiness of the pea and oat silage they did not consume more than thirty- 

 five pounds per head per day while they would take forty pounds of the sun- 

 flower silage. 



Conclusions to be drawn from this comparative test would be that pound 

 for pound the pea and oat silage is a trifle better than the sunflower silage. 

 The sunflower silage, however, was about equal in palatability and in ability 

 to produce milk when the animal is allowed to consume the quantity desired. 

 From a standpoint of economy the sunflower silage has the advantage as it 

 can be produced for less than half the cost of the pea and oat silage. 



Sheep. 



The Station has been fortunate in building up a flock of sheep that is now 

 in a position to furnish valuable breeding stock for farmers of the Upper 

 Peninsula. In addition the flock is representative of the different breeds 

 and grades so that they form the basis for many valuable experiments on 

 flock management. 



WINTER FEEDING EXPERIMENTS 191849. 



The feeding tests were divided into two series: series A feeding tests with 

 70 ewe lambs: series B feeding tests with 150 breeding ewes. 



Series A : — The ewe lambs were separated into two lots, and an experi- 

 ment to determine the relative feeding values of barley versus corn in the 

 ration was conducted. 



Lot 1 was fed the ration composed of three parts barley, one part oats 

 with a few roots, and clover hay. 



Lot 2 was fed a similar ration, only corn was substituted for barley in the 

 grain ration. 



