396 BULLETIN 91 



ALFALFA HAY ADDED TO A RATION OF SILAGE, COTTONSEED MEAL, AND GROUND 



MILO MAIZE 



1. The addition of alfalfa hay to a ration of silage, cottonseed 

 meal, and ground milo maize increased the rate of gain .03 pounds 

 daily per steer. 



2. The addition of 3.97 pounds of alfalfa hay per head daily 

 decreased the amount of silage consumed by 4.32 pounds. 



3. Steers fed silage, cottonseed meal, and ground milo maize 

 required an expenditure for feed of $19.18 per hundred pounds of 

 gain; those fed silage, cottonseed meal, ground milo maize, and alfalfa 

 hay required an expenditure of $20.30 per hundred pounds gain. 



4. The steers in Lot V were valued at $1 1 .35 per hundred pounds, 

 and returned a loss of $5.74 per steer; the steers in Lot VI were valued 

 at $11.50 per hundred pounds, and gave a loss of $6.46 per steer. 



5. The addition of alfalfa hay to the ration made the steers 

 finish more rapidly for market. 



6. More uniform gains were made by the steers in Lot VL All 

 the steers in this lot continued well on feed; two of the steers in the 

 lot not receiving alfalfa hay went off feed about a week. 



7. The chief advantage of adding alfalfa hay to a ration of silage, 

 cottonseed meal, and milo maize was in the more uniform gains made 

 by the cattle, but at slightly greater cost. 



SUPPLEMENTAL TEST, 9 STEERS FOR 40 DAYS 



1. Holstein steers will make as rapid and as economical gains 

 as steers from Polled Shorthorn bulls. 



2. Steers that have been maintained on a ration of alfalfa hay 

 alone will gain more rapidly when placed on a variety of feed than 

 similar animals that have been maintained on a mixed ration. 



3. A few days are required for steers to adjust their appetites 

 to a changed ration. There was a tendency for these steers to reduce 

 the amount of alfalfa hay and increase the silage as the test progressed. 



