566 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



[Vol. 36 



at Six months. Whole milk was fed frequently throughout the test when the 

 calves were off feed. Otherwise this lot had the same feeds as lots 1 and 2. 



Water and salt were before the calves at all times and particular care was 

 used to insure a uniform temperature of the milk and milk substitute rations. 

 Analyses are given of all the feeds used in the experiments. 



The following table gives some of the results obtained : 



Calf feeding trials. 



Cost data in these experiments are based upon the following prices: Whole 

 milk $1.50 and skim milk 25 cts. per 100 lbs. ; corn 60 cts. and oats 40 cts. per 

 bushel; and alfalfa hay $15, silage $4, home-mixed calf meal $40, and pro- 

 prietary calf meal $70 per ton. 



The calves in lot 1 maintained a thrifty condition throughout the test, 

 although considerable trouble was experienced by short attacks of indigestion 

 or scours. The percentage cost of each feed for this lot was whole milk 15.5, 

 skim milk 39.9, dry mash 16.38, alfalfa hay 27.07, and corn silage 1.15. 



The calves in lot 2 did not present a thrifty appearance during the first part 

 of the test. Indigestion caused a great deal of trouble, but this was usually 

 checked by the substitution of whole milk for a part of the milk substitute. 

 The calves' appetites were good after the eighth week. The percentage cost 

 of this lot was whole milk 24.82, home-mixed calf meal 37.71, dry mash 13.76, 

 alfalfa hay 23.04, and corn silage 0.67. 



The calves in lot 3 were not very thrifty during the first part of the experi- 

 ment, indigestion being the chief trouble in the majority of cases. This was 

 usually remedied by the substitution of whole milk for a part of the pro- 

 prietary calf meal. In tw^o instances calves failed to recover from attacks of 

 indigestion and lack of proper nutrition, one dying at the age of 40 days and 

 the other at the age of 45 days. With one exception the remaining calves of 

 this lot presented a thrifty condition at the end of the test. The percentage 

 cost of each feed for this lot was whole milk 38.53, proprietary calf meal 39.16, 

 dry mash 9.23, alfalfa hay 12.61, and corn silage 0.47. 



Detailed consideration is presented of the variation in weight of calves, cost 

 and amount of rations consumed, food nutrients received, and growth of the 

 calves in each lot, together with a summary of the comparative efficiency of the 

 various rations used in the experiments. 



It is concluded that the use of skim milk for young calves, where it is avail- 

 able in large quantities, should be encouraged unless its market value is over 

 30 cts. per 100 lbs. Where the chief product sold from farms is whole milk "the 

 use of a home-mixed calf meal Is advisable, although the calf so produced will 

 not be as well developed at 6 months of age as if fed milk during its early 

 growing period. 



" The prices charged by concerns manufacturing calf meals are usually very 

 much above the actual cost of producing them, chiefly on account of advertising 



