278 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



per pound of gain 10.84 lbs., and the cost of a pound of gain 7.81 cts. In the case of 

 the steers of the dairy type, the average gain was 597.75 lbs., the dry matter required 

 per pound of gain 10.666 lbs., and the cost of a pound of gain 7.63 cts. 



After slaughtering, the steers were used in demonstration work and the results of 

 the slaughter tests were recorded in full in order to secure information regarding the 

 differences in distribution of the meat in the two types. According to the author, 

 the steers of the dairy type showed a considerably higher proportion of offal and a 

 lower percentage of dressed weight, a higher percentage of fat on the internal organs, 

 and consequently an increase in the total weight of the cheap parts. With the beef 

 steers, the higher percentage of valuable cuts was noted. 



"Beef type steers furnish heavier, thicker cuts; they are more evenly and neatly 

 covered with outside fat, show superior marbling in flesh, are of a clearer white color 

 in fat, and a brighter red in the lean meat; but there is little difference in fineness of 

 grain. 



"The low price paid for dairy steers may be due partially to prejudice and to the 

 greater expense of carrying and selling the low-grade carcasses; but it is chiefly due 

 to an actual inferiority in the carcasses. 



"It is neither profitable nor desirable to feed steers of dairy type for beef purposes.. 

 They are unsatisfactory to the consumer, because they do not furnish thick and well 

 marbled cuts; they are unsatisfactory to the butcher, because they furnish low-grade 

 carcasses which are difficult to dispose of, and they are decidedly unsatifactory to the 

 feeder, because they yield him little or no profit, and both breeder and feeder waste 

 their time in producing such a type of steer for beef purposes." 



Experiments with cattle, E. R. Lloyd (Mississippi Sta. Rpt. 1904, pp. 14, 15). — 

 Data are given regarding the gains made by 2-year-old steers and by calves on pas- 

 turage. The largest gain, 300 lbs. per head, was noted with 2-year-old steers pastured 

 from March 26 to November 1. The smallest gain, 218 lbs., was noted with calves. 



In a test of the comparative feeding value of different hays it was found that 3 

 steers fed 4,000 lbs. of oat hay lost 40 lbs. in 103 days. A similar lot fed a like 

 amount of Johnson-grass hay lost 50 lbs. while a lot fed practically the same amount 

 of wheat-hay gained 13 lbs. 



The comparative value of different rations containing cotton seed, and cotton-seed 

 meal and hulls was studied with 5 lots of 5 steers each, the feeding period covering 120 

 days. The greatest gain, 690 lbs., was made by a lot fed a ration of cotton-seed meal 

 and hulls. The smallest gain, 455 lbs., was made by a lot fed raw cotton seed, shelled 

 corn, and sorghum hay. Data are also recorded regarding the dressed weight, the 

 percentage of fat in the carcass, and the loss of weight in shipping. 



From statistics which are given the average cost of feed for wintering the station 

 cattle was $6.01 and sheep 65 cents. 



Steer-feeding experiments, G. H. True, T. F. McCoxxell, and R. H. Forbes, 

 (Arizona Sta. Bui. 50, pp. 499-522, pis. 2). — Of the 4 tests reported on the compara- 

 tive value of alfalfa alone and supplemented by such coarse fodders as sorghum, the 

 first has been noted from another publication (E. S. R., 12, p. 1074). 



In the second trial a lot of 2 two-year-old steers on alfalfa and alfalfa hay made an 

 average daily gain in 188 days of 1.58 lbs. per head. The gain made by a similar lot 

 fed wheat hay and cured sorghum in addition to green alfalfa and alfalfa hay was 1.50 

 lbs. per head per day, and by a lot fed some rolled barley in addition to alfalfa fresh 

 and cured, wheat hay, and cured sorghum 1.87 lbs. 



The third test was made with 2 lots each containing 11 yearlings and covered 

 485 days. The lot fed principally alfalfa made an average daily gain of 1.21 lbs. per 

 head, and the lot fed a ration of sorghum hay, wheat hay, etc., in addition to alfalfa 

 1.26 lbs. In the fourth test, which covered 522 days, 4 steers fed alfalfa as a soiling 

 crop, hay or both, in the different periods, made an average daily gain in the whole 

 test of 1 lb. per head as compared with 0.98 lb. in the case of a lot fed alfalfa supple- 



