Journal of Agricultural Research vol. xx, No. n 



During the past two years similar work has been carried out at the 



Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, a part of which is reported in 



this article on the digestion experiments with cattle and sheep. The 



silage used was made from a crop of sunflowers harvested when about 



50 per cent of the sunflowers were in bloom, but when only a few seeds 



were in the dough stage. The plan of the work and the data secured 



follow. 



PLAN OF EXPERIMENT 



Three registered Shorthorn cows, No. 5, 6, and 7, were used in the 

 experiment. These were the only cows available at the time the experi- 

 ment was conducted. Their ages varied, cow No. 5 being 3 years old, 

 cow No. 6 being 10 years old, and cow No. 7 being 5 years old. These 

 cows were kept in specially prepared stalls, which were arranged so that 

 it was possible to obtain an exact record of all silage eaten, water con- 

 sumed, all silage rejected, and all feces voided. No record was kept of 

 the urine, either as to the amount voided or as to its chemical analysis. 



Three yearling wethers, all pure-bred Shropshires, were placed in 

 specially constructed pens which facilitated the securing of records on 

 the amount of silage fed, silage eaten, water consumed, and feces voided. 



The preliminary feeding period extended over a period of 10 days, 

 during which time the animals were given an opportunity to accustom 

 themselves to their surroundings, and also to ascertain the maximum 

 amount of silage that they would consume daily. It was found that 50 

 pounds was the proper amount to feed the cows, while 2 pounds were 

 sufficient for the daily sheep ration. The cows and sheep were fed one- 

 half the full ration both morning and evening. When the animals 

 appeared to be normal in every way a few days were allowed to elapse 

 and then the final digestion period of seven days' duration was begun. 

 During this period samples of the silage fed, silage rejected, and feces 

 voided were collected daily and composited. Daily records of the 

 amounts of silage fed, silage rejected, and feces voided were secured, 

 together with the daily weights of the animals. Chemical analyses were 

 made of all composite samples. The results are given on both the wet 

 and dry basis in Table I. 



Table II contains the amount of silage fed to cows and sheep, the 

 water consumed, feces voided, silage rejected (called orts), and the daily 

 weight of each individual cow and sheep. Table III contains the total 

 weight of silage fed, the total nutrients contained in the silage eaten, and 

 the feces voided. The amount of nutrients and the percentage digested 

 are also given for each animal. In calculating the nutrients eaten, the 

 total nutrients contained in the silage rejected were subtracted from the 

 total nutrients contained in the silage fed. Hence the figures represent 

 the actual amount of dry substance and nutrients eaten. The results 

 are all expressed on the moisture-free basis. 



