ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 467 



brt'edinji: has, in the cases of these two breeds, at least proved very much more 

 effective than inbreeding in accomplishing the object desired. 



Utilization of feed by range steers of different ages. — I, Alfalfa hay, F. W. 

 Chbistknskn and 11. H. Simpson (New Mexico Bta. Bui. 91 (191 Jf), pp. 2-128, 

 figs. 8). — Range steers varying in age from calves to 3-year-oIds were fed on 

 alfalfa hay alone for 120 days. 



At the end of the feeding i>eriod the yearlings and 2-year-olds were not on 

 (he whole as highly finished as tlie calves or .3-year-olds. All the 3-year-olds 

 presented a well-finished appearance and in every way were better finished and 

 developed than the calves, although they did not compare favorably with grain- 

 fed steers. The calves showed lack of finish especially over the ribs and in the 

 forequarters. 



The calves, yearlings, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds made average daily gains 

 per head of 1.67, 1.33, 1..5.5, and 1.03 lbs., respectivel.v. Ter l.(H)0 lbs. live weight 

 the dailj' gains per head were 3.18, 2.22, 2.15, and 0.96 lbs., resi)ectively, and the 

 amounts of feed consumed daily were 24.44, 23.29, 23.51, and 18.42 lbs., respec- 

 tively. Per pound of gain the amounts consumed were 7.77, 11.11, 11.46, and 

 20.34 lbs., respectively. 



A series of 24 digestion trials w-as conducted, 8 steers being used. The re- 

 sults of these trials show considerable variation with the same individual, in 

 successive trials, and among the different individuals on corresponding trials. 

 However, there appeared to be no definite or consistent superiority of one in- 

 dividual over any other, or of any given age of steer over another. Since the 

 older steers apparently digested the feed equally as well as the calves, it ap- 

 liears that their digestive powers were not impaired by the starvation of sub- 

 maintenance periods through which the.y had passed. There was appai-ently 

 no direct connection between the quantity of feed consumed and the digesti- 

 bility of the ration, nor any difference in digestibility due to stage or fattening. 

 It is suggested, however, that the steers were not especially fat nor on very 

 heavy rations. 



Two comparisons of the nitrogen balances of the calves and the 3-year-olds 

 indicate that the calves were gaining considerably in nitrogen whereas the 

 others were either losing nitrogen or making but small gains, thus indicating 

 a relatively greater gain in protein by the calves. It was estimated that the 

 energy content of the gains made increased in general with the age of the 

 animal. From slaughter tests there was little difference found between the 

 yearlings and 2-year-olds, but 3-year-olds dressed a considerably higher 

 percentage of beef than the calves. In pounds of dressed beef per head, the 

 3-year-olds averaged approximately twice as much as the calves. "A considera- 

 tion of the wholesale cuts of beef from one side of the carcass shows that al- 

 though the cuts differ greatly in weight, not only among the steers of different 

 ages but among individuals of the same age, they show no very marked differ- 

 ence when expressed in percentages of the half carcass. A comparison of the 

 calves and 3-year-olds, however, shows higher percentages for ribs and loin cuts 

 with the older steers, indicating a relatively greater proportion of the high- 

 priced cuts in these steers. 



" It was found that the 2-year-olds, compared with the yearlings, showed more 

 internal and external fat, as well as a better distribution of the same. In 

 general, the meat of the older steers was firmer and better in quality, having 

 slightly finer grain and better color, but the differences between the two ages 

 were not great. The grain of the meat of both ages appeared a little coarser 

 than that of corn-fed steers. The meat was tender, juicy, and of good flavor, 

 and aside from the fact that the meat from the older steers appeared a little 

 fatter, there was no marked preference due to age. 



