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EXPERIMENT STATION RECOUP. 



[Vol. *0 



were fed by hand twice daily in predetermined amounts, one lot (lot 2) each 

 year being full-fed and the others receiving 75, 50, and 25 per cent, respectively, 

 of the amount of shelled corn received by lot 2. In the second year the 75 

 per cent lot was omitted. Each lot was given as much silage twice daily as it 

 would eat. Linseed meal (old process) was fed mixed with the silage in 

 uniform amounts to each lot, in the first winter at the rate of 2 lbs. per steer 

 daily and the second winter 2.5 lbs. Alfalfa hay was fed each evening, the 

 amount being the same for each lot and determined by the appetite of the 

 lot consuming the least. 



Four hogs followed each lot of cattle, and in addition there was a check lot 

 each year of four hogs that were self-fed on shelled corn and meat meal 

 tankage in separate feeders. The other hogs received limited amounts of 

 corn and tankage in addition to the "pick-up." The difference between the 

 check and an experimental lot was used to compute the amount of feed saved 

 by the hogs per 100 lbs. of gain on the steers. The first set of hogs was replaced 

 in 90 days by a new set. 



Some of the results are assembled In the following table: 



Results of full and limited grain ration f-,r st*crs (ISO days). 



In computing the costs corn was put at 90 cts. per bushel and silage at $6.50 per ton. 



In spite of their greater gain In weight, a general hotter condition in the 

 full-fed steers, and the larger amount of "pick-up" available for the hogs fol- 

 lowing them, the limited -'rain lots, especially the 25 per cent, made distinctly 

 the cheaper gains. This is Bhown nol only by the coal per pound of gain bat 

 by the estimated margins which the authors give, based on market conditions 

 at the time the experiments ended. Full feeding is advised only where a largo 

 premium is being paid for well-finished cattle. 



Comparing self-feeding and full hand-feeding, the results are thought to he 

 somewhat in favor of the former method. 



Each year the experiment was continued beyond tlie initial four months' 

 period. In 1915-16 the limited feeding lots were put on full grain ration for 40 

 days, while the next year a fifth month of continued limited feeding was tried. 

 Complete data are provided for comparison of the results of the extended 

 period with those of the shorter period, but no definite conclusions are drawn 

 as to the advantages of either. The margin of selling price over feed cot 

 generally increased by longer feeding. 



In the second year a lot of eight steers similar to the other lots received 

 alfalfa as its sole roughage but was fed a full corn ration and was otherwise 



