486 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



will produce bone and muscle. As it is raised by nearly every American 

 farmer it is a common feed, but we believe that a great number of fail- 

 ures to obtain the greatest results from "breeding flocks are due to the 

 liberal use of corn. Ewes thus fed will fatten instead of properly nourish 

 their lambs and then the owner wonders why they are not as healthy and 

 thrifty as they should be. Liberal feeding and proper feeding are often 

 quite different because no properly fed breeding flock receive a liberal 

 allowance of corn, unless it is in conjunction with oats, bran or some such 

 feed. 



Oats are perhaps the most desirable of all grains for the breeding flock 

 because they produce growth rather than fattening. Oats contain a much 

 higher proportion of bone and muscle-producing nutriment than corn and 

 in itself is quite a well balanced ration. Especially is this true when the 

 oat kernel has a small hull. If the oat crop is of poor quality and the 

 hulls are woody it is well to add some bran or oil cake to the ration. In 

 some cases oats have given better results when ground but we do not be- 

 lieve this is necessary or profitable for sheep feeding. 



WHEAT. 



Wheat for sheep feed is much more balanced than corn, and contains a 

 larger amount of that nutriment which is required for the full develop- 

 ment of lambs and also contains nearly as large a per cent of fattening 

 material. In most cases the price of wheat forbids its use for live stock 

 feeding but those sheepmen in sections where wheat is plentiful are for- 

 tunate. It gives best results with sheep when fed whole but as it is a 

 strong feed it should always he mixed with other grains. Some sheep 

 breeders have obtained excellent results from feeding wheat alone but 

 such use can not be recommended generally. 



Wheat bran carries a large amount of crude fiber but it is very desir- 

 able for a mixture with grains. It produces the effect of a mild laxative 

 which is quite beneficial. It contains a large amount of muscle and bone- 

 building material and gives most excellent results when fed to growing 

 lambs, breeding ewes and rams in service. For ewes with young lambs 

 it is a leading feed with the best breeders because it not only furnishes 

 bulk but large quantities of protein and ash which are so much needed in 

 the formation of milk. Farmers who have plenty of corn but no oats or 

 wheat can make a good ration by mixing bran with it. Sheep which are 

 housed being fed for exhibition purposes should always have bran, in their 

 ration especially on account of its bulkiness and laxative effect upon the 

 digestive organs. Breeding sheep should always receive some bran unless 

 they are out on grass. 



OIL MEAL. 



Oil meal is the residue after ground flaxseed has been subjected to great 

 pressure for the purpose of removing the oil. At first it is in slabs about 



