468 



EXPERIMENT STATION EECOFtD. 



Steer feeding-, J. C. Burns et al. (Texas Sta. Bui. 159, pp. 5-34, figs. 12).— 

 Continuing previous work (E. S. R., 28, p. 169), four lots of seven 2-year-old 

 steers each, weighing approximately 850 lbs., were fed for a period of 139 days 

 on the following rations: Lot 1, 2 lbs. cotton-seed meal, 20 lbs. cotton-seed 

 hulls; lot 2, 2 lbs. cotton-seed meal, 24 lbs. silage (mainly sorghum and cowj^ea, 

 partly corn) ; lot 3, 2 lbs. cotton-seed meal, 10 lbs. cotton-seed hulls, 12 lbs. 

 silage; lot 4, 3 lbs. cotton-seed meal, 24 lbs. silage, with results as follows: 



It is estimated that 1.67 tons of silage are equivalent to one ton of cotton- 

 seed hulls in feeding value, also that cotton-seed meal at $27 per ton is more 

 profitable than cotton seed at $17 per ton in supplementing silage to form a 

 fattening ration. From these and former experiments it is concluded that 

 a combination of cotton-seed meal and silage is the most profitable ration that 

 can be used for feeding cattle in Texas. 



In another experiment 2 lots of 16 steers each, weighing approximately 775 

 lbs., were fed for a period of 139 days on a basal ration composed of cotton- 

 seed meal, ground milo maize or Kafir corn, and silage ; lot 1 receiving cotton- 

 seed hulls, lot 2, sorghum hay, the same quantity being fed to each lot. In 

 this trial lot 1 made an average daily gain of 2.97 lbs. per head, at a cost of 

 8.93 cts. per pound gain, and yielding a net profit of $4.86 per head; lot 2, 

 3.1 lbs. gain, cost 9.08 cts., and profit $4.10. In addition profits from hogs fol- 

 lowing the steers were credited to the steers at $3.95 a head. 



It is estimated that 100 lbs. sorghum hay is equivalent to 105 lbs. cotton- 

 seed hulls. 



Beef making in southern Texas, J. E. Wing (Breeder's Gaz., 64 (1913), 

 No. 21, pp. 984, 985, figs. 2). — An account of beef production methods in the 

 tick-infested section of southern Texas. Zebus are crossed on Shorthorn, 

 Hereford, and grade cattle, the Herefords being deemed preferable. The off- 

 spring develop fast and as yearlings are said to weigh 1,000 lbs. and as 2-year 

 olds 1,700 lbs. The half-blood calves do not develop the hump nor the dewlap 

 of the zebu. Because of the natural adaptability of the zebu to southern Texas 

 conditions an effort is being made to fix a type intermediate between the Indian 

 cattle and the natives. 



Value of Oldenburg marsh pasture, M. Popp (Landw. Jalirt)., 44 (191S), 

 No. S, pp. 441-517, fig. 1). — This is a report of 3 years' experiments in feeding 

 cattle on Oldenburg marsh pasture, a mixture of white clover, rye grass, tim- 

 othy, and meadow barley. The average feeding period for 2- and 3-year-old 

 steers was 167 days; the average daily gain approximately 1.1 kg.; the feed 

 number or number of kilograms of live weight supported per hectare during 

 the entire pasture period, 208,239 ; and the fat number or kilograms of gain per 

 day per hectare, 2.81. The first period of pasturing, consisting of 92 to 124 

 days, showed an average daily gain per hectare of 3.39 kg. ; while the second 

 period of 39 to 81 days showed a gain of 1.73 kg., thus indicating the greater 

 value of the pasture during the first two-thirds of the entire feeding period. 



