July 23, 1917 Effect on Growth and Reproduction of Rations 



177 



a series of experiments was again started in 1910, using for the pur- 

 pose vigorous grade Holstein heifers of initial weights of from 200 to 400 

 pounds. It was also proposed that one group should receive its nutri- 

 ents wholly from the com plant, another from the wheat plant, a third 

 from com grain and wheat straw, a fourth from wheat grain and com 

 stover, and a fifth group should receive its nutrients from com grain 

 with the roughage equally divided between alfalfa hay and wheat straw. 

 These rations were closely comparable in digestible proteins and net 

 available energy and were "balanced" in the ordinary sense of the 

 standards. The animals were fed what they would consume of this 

 mixture and in addition received common salt and natural water. They 

 were allowed a daily run to an outside paddock free from all vegetation.^ 

 Their records of growth and final status are given in Table I. 



Table I. — Record of. growth of Holstein calves, igio-iQl2 



No. of 

 animal. 



629 

 639 

 637 

 641 

 575 

 594 

 635 

 636 



642 



643 



Ration. 



f Ground wheat, 8 pounds. . 

 Wheat gluten, 0.3 pounds. 

 Wheat straw, 5.7 pounds. . 



..do 



(Wheat grain, 6.7 pounds. . . 

 ■[wheat gluten, o. 3 pounds. 



(Com stover 7 pounds 



do 



(Com meal, 5 pounds 



•^Gluten feed, 2 pounds 



ICom stover, 7 pounds 



do 



(Com meal, 5 pounds 



•(Gluten feed, 3 pounds 



I Wheat straw, 6 pounds. . . , 

 do 



I Cora meal, 5 pounds 

 Gluten feed, 2 pounds ... 

 wheat straw, 3.5 pounds, . 

 Alfalfa hav, ^.5 pounds, . . 

 do 



Weight (in pounds). 



Initial 



(June 2, 



1910). 



After 6 

 months 



406 



655 

 722 

 369 

 377 

 664 

 496 

 301 

 384 

 "613 



«537 



After I 

 year 



569 

 683 

 533 

 594 

 970 

 735 

 4S0 

 541 



After 18 

 months 



After 2 

 years 



on 

 ration. 



Condition after 



2 years. 



fliserably emaci- 

 ated. 



Do. 

 Fairly strong. 



Do. 



/Strong and vigor- 

 \ ous. 



/Poor growth and 

 \ poor condition. 



Do. 



/Strong and vigor- 

 \ ous. 



788 



o Initial weight. 



This breed was more sensitive to the all -wheat ration than our earlier 

 records (6) showed for the Shorthorn cattle, or at least these individuals 

 were. Sustained growth was not possible on this ration. After reaching 

 weights of 600 or 700 pounds both individuals (No. 629 and 639) began 

 to decline in weight and passed into a miserable condition (Pi. 18); 

 they failed to show oestrus and consequently could not be bred. This 

 same group (wheat grain plus wheat straw) , if slightly excited or hurried 

 would collapse and remain in a prostrated position for a few minutes, 

 suffering muscular rigor and tremor. From this condition the animals 

 would gradually recover, appearing normal only after a lapse of 10 or 



1 Very great credit is due Mr. William Voss for his constant and intelligent care of these animals. 



