TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 468 



Although, sheep raising is one of the most profitable industries on 

 the farm, in some of the most densely populated sections of this state, 

 Avhere the farms are highly improved, where large yields of grain are 

 obtained annuallly, and where during the past few years the price of 

 land has trebled, the fattening of sheep for market is practically un- 

 known. 



This Bulletin presents the results obtained in two feeding experi- 

 ments with lambs. The first experiment was to determine the relative 

 value of alfalfa hay and upland prairie hay with the same kind of grain 

 ration; the second was to determine the value of different grain rations 

 for lambs while on rape pasture. 



The question of producing the cheapest pound of gain should be kept 

 in mind when fattening lambs for market, and these results are intended 

 to furnish the fitter an idea of the value of cheap fodder and pasture 

 in mutton production. 



EXPERIMENT NO. 2. 



lAlTENING LAMBS ON GRAINS AND EAPE PASTUBE. 



Rape has been used as a forage plant In the Northwest for several 

 years, and many claims have been made as to its value for fattening 

 lambs. The practice in some sections is to sow rape with the small 

 grain in the spring and also in the corn field at the last plowing. After 

 the grain is cut the rape makes a rapid growth and furnishes an. 

 abundance of succulent feed until severe frosts. After an unsuccessful 

 attempt in 1907 to secure an average stand of rape by sowing with grain, 

 a field containing about six acres was sowed the following years without 

 a nurse crop at the rate of four to six pounds to the acre. The variety 

 used was the Dwarf Essex. Rape needs a well prepared seed-bed and a 

 soil rich in humus or decayed vegetable matter. The soil should be 

 well drained. Good results have been obtained by sowing rape in lots 

 on college farm that had been rooted up by hogs. In a feeding experi- 

 ment with hogs at this Station, rape pasture was fond to be worth 

 $7.04 per acre (Bulletin No. 90), this being the value of the gain of lot 

 that received rape over lot that did not receive rape pasture. Farmers' 

 Bulletin No. 49, United States Department of Agriculture, reports the 

 following on rape: 



"This crop is one that has many advantages for summer feeding 

 breeding ewes. It grows rapidly, producing a large quantity, of succu- 

 lent food, and is greatly relished by sheep. About two months is re- 

 quired for the growth of a crop. It remains fresh in the field for over 

 a month under usual conditions after the first cutting has been made. 

 At the Wigconsin Station 62 ewes, 26 ewe lambs, and 5 rams were fed 

 from 300 to 350 pounds of rape daily throughout the drought of August 

 and September. From August 16th until September 17th 9.75 tons by 

 actual weight were cut from 0.5 acre, or at the rate of 19.5 tons per 

 acre. 



