FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 671 



The average daily gain of the steers of the 3 lots was 1.20, 1.72, and 

 1.37 lbs. The steers were slaughtered, the average dressed weight 

 being a little over 60 per cent of the live weight. According to the 

 author, the quality of the meat was all that could be desired. The fat 

 and lean were well distributed, and the fat was light in color. The 

 tinancial aspect of the test is discussed, the average prolit per steer 

 being estimated at $12. 52. 



" While the average daily gain was not wholly satisfactory, it will compare favor- 

 ahly with that made by cattle fed in the corn States. The resnlts are sufficiently 

 encouraging to warrant more stock feeding in this section. Two-year-old steers can 

 be matured on the grains and fodders produced in this section. There is a profit in 

 keeping steers for winter feeding instead of selling an inferior and cheaper product in 

 the fall. Corn silage can be successfully used in feeding steers in this locality." 



Economical production of beef, C. F. Curtiss and J. A. Craig 

 {Iowa Sta. Bui. JfS., pj). 31^-372.^ jigs. 9). — Feeding tests extending 

 over a number of j^ears are reported. Regarding the possibilities of 

 combined dairying and feeding for beef production, a feeding experi- 

 ment with 11 steers, begun in December, 1896, and covering 2 years, 

 is reported. The feeding of these animals as calves has been pre- 

 viously noted (E. S. R., 9, p. 973). During the test considered as a 

 whole, the steers were fed skim milk, different grains, and coarse fod- 

 ders, etc. The average daily gain in the whole period was 1.72 lbs. 

 per head; the cost of a pound of gain, 1.09 cts. The steers were 

 sold in Chicago, the dressed weight being 61.1 per cent of the live 

 weight. The total profit per head was §12.22. 



" From the results so far olitained through these trials it is evident that a system 

 whereby dairying and meat making may be combined is the most promising in prof- 

 its. Xot only do the steers from cows bred with this combination in view yield as 

 much prolit as those from the range, but the returns from the cows when used for 

 dairy purposes makes the combination much more remunerative. The data secured 

 through the actual work of establishing a herd of this kind and the actual test of the 

 cows in the dairy and steers in the feed lot show that it is not only jjossible to C(Hn- 

 bine these qualities to a profitable degree, but also to perpetuate them if the herd is 

 bred especially for them. 



" In the economical production of beef through a combination of dairying and 

 beef making it is very necessary that the calves are removed from their dams when 

 2 or 3 days old so as to develop and preserve the milking qualities of the cows. 

 This necessitates the feeding of skim milk to the calves and .... the best returns 

 are made when corn meal is fed as an additional food in preference to oil meal, oat- 

 meal, or flaxseed." 



The value of wide and narrow rations was tested with 2 lots of 7 

 steers each (this comparison being a part of the first test reported 

 above). The ration was made up of a number of grains and coarse 

 fodders. From July 16, 1897, to August 1, 1898, lot 1 was fed a nar- 

 row ration, the nutritive ratio being 1:3: 9, and lot 2 was fed a wide 

 ration, the nutritiv^e ratio being 1: 7.6. The average daily gain of the 

 steers in lot 1 was 1.93 lbs., the dry matter eaten per pound of gain 

 7.63 lbs., and the cost of food per pound of gain 1.02 cts. Similar 



