362 Bulletin 91 



given a number to identify him and records were taken throughout 

 the test according to the number of the animals. Table I gives a 

 statement of the steers in each lot at the beginning of the experiment. 



Lot I averaged 891 pounds or a little heavier than any of the other 

 lots. The average weight of the steers in Lots II, IV, and V was 

 889 pounds. Lot III weighed an average of 890 pounds, and Lot VI 

 was the lightest, averaging 888 pounds. 



Although there was considerable difference among the steers in 

 each lot, yet the animals in the various lots were similar. The animals 

 in Lot I were slightly thinner than those in the other lots, but they 

 were the most uniform in weight. Two of them weighed between 

 900 and 1000 pounds, and the other four between 800 and 900 pounds. 

 Lot III contained three animals whose weight ranged between 800 

 and 900 pounds, one animal over 1000 pounds, one between 900 and 

 1000 pounds, and the other between 700 and 800 pounds. Lot II 

 had one animal that weighed over 1000 pounds; three weighed between 

 this and 900 pounds; one in the 800 to 900 pounds group; and one 

 weighed a little less than 700 pounds. The animals in Lots IV, V, 

 and VI fell into the same general distribution. 



FEED LOTS AND EQUIPMENT 

 Six feed lots 48 by 60 feet were used for the experiment. In each 

 lot was a feed manger 3 feet wide and 36 feet long, which was ample 

 for containing the feed. An automatic drinking fountain placed in 

 each lot kept fresh water before the animals at all times. No cover- 

 ing or shed was needed, and the earth floor of the lots was dry and 

 firm throughout the test except after a few light rains. The highest 

 temperature while the experiment was in progress was 82 degrees 

 F. and the lowest was 31 degrees F. No snow fell during the time 

 the steers were in the feed lots. The days were bright and clear 

 there being a total of only 3.13 inches rainfall during the feeding period. 

 The cattle were in a public place where many visitors inspected them, 

 so that they were more restless than they would be on an average 

 farm. 



WEIGHING THE ANIMALS 



At the beginning of the test each animal was weighed. The 

 cattle at this time had suffered a reasonable shrinkage in weight from 

 the time they left the pasture field. Every Friday morning through- 

 out the test the animals were weighed individually. On Thursday 

 night they were given a regular feed but no water till after weighing. 



