FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



671 



Fattening cattle in North Dakota, J. H. Shepperd (North Dakota 

 Sta. Bui. 33, })p. 281-292). — The author discusses at some length 

 cattle feeding under existing conditions in North Dakota. Investiga- 

 tions made in different parts of the country bearing upon the subject 

 are quoted. In his opinion cattle can be profitably fattened on corn 

 fodder, hay, and barley on nearly all the farms of North Dakota. A 

 test of the comparative value ot" bran and bran and shorts for fattening 

 steers is reported. The test was made with 2 lots of 5 grade steers 

 each. These animals were believed to be on an average better than 

 the range stock of the State. The experiment proper was preceded by 

 a preliminary period of 1 month. All the steers were fed bran and 

 shorts 1:1 and 1 lb. of linseed meal per head daily. The steers in 

 lot 1 ate an average of 12 lbs. of grain per head daily and gained a 

 little less than 1£ lbs. per head. Lot 2 ate practically the same amount 

 of grain and gained a little more than 1^ lbs. per head daily. The test 

 proper began immediately after the close of the preliminary period and 

 continued 12 weeks. Lot 1 was fed barley and lot 2 bran and shorts 

 1 : 2. Each lot was fed oil meal in the proportion of 1 lb. to 10 lbs. of 

 grain. Lot 1 ate on an average 16 lbs. of grain daily and lot 2, 11^ lbs. 

 The steers were confined in stalls and were fed separately and given all 

 the hay they would eat in addition to the grain. The financial state- 

 ment is based on oarley at 75 cts., linseed meal at $1, bran and shorts 

 at 60 cts. per 100 lbs., and hay at $4 per ton. 



The results of the test are shown in the following table: 



Result from feeding steers barley and bran and shorts. 



The principal conclusions follow: 



" Rauge steers require a long preliminary feeding before a heavy supply of grain is 

 given them. 



"Eleven hundred and fifty pound steers fed for a period of 6 months will eat an 

 average of about 16j lbs. of grain and 12 lbs. of hay per day. 



'• Range steers fed in a commercial way will gain from 1^ lbs. to 14 lbs. per day. 



" Cattle should neither be gorged nor starved for feed or water before shipment is 

 made. A medium quantity of dry feed is best. 



"Barley gives a heavier gain per 100 lbs. of grain fed and a higher rate of gain 

 per day than does bran and shorts. 



" With the prices for feed which prevailed locally, bran and shorts gave the cheaper 

 gain and the greater profit." 



Fattening steers in winter, T. Shaw {Minnesota Sta. Bui. 58, pp. 



469-509, figs. 2). — These tests were made in continuation of work pre- 

 viously reported (E. S, li., 8, p. 211). 



