LECTURE XXIX. 



FEED, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF A BREEDING HERD 

 OF BEEF CATTLE. 



On the average breeding farm in the corn belt, corn, hay 

 and grass are the most common feeds available. In summer 

 good pasture furnishes plenty of feed for breeding animals 

 However, as a rule the majority of breeders feed calves, 

 young bulls, and cows that are milking, a small quantity of 

 grain. 



In winter when the herd is housed it is necessary to 

 feed considerable grain in order to keep the animals in a 

 good sappy condition. Corn being the most plentiful and 

 cheapest cereal in the corn belt, it invariably furnishes a 

 large proportion of the grain ration. Although corn is cheap 

 feed, it should not be fed alone, because it does not furnish 

 a well enough balanced ration for growing or breeding ani- 

 mals. Corn fed in connection with the nitrogenous feeds, 

 such as oats and bran, renders the most satisfactory results. 

 A mixture of one-third each of corn and cob meal, ground 

 oats, bran and a little oil meal, makes a very desirable and 

 palatable grain for all kinds of breeding stock. A grain 

 ration for calves might be advantageously modified by add- 

 ing corn meal instead of corn and cob; in fact, eliminating 

 the corn entirely and simply feeding them a mixture of oats, 

 bran and oil meal, is often advisable. 



Clover and alfalfa are the best variety of roughage; how- 

 ever, timothy and millet will do. Corn and sorghum fodder, 

 if well cured, can be fed outside and thus economize the 

 higher priced fodder. When ensilage and roots are available 

 less grain is needed and the herd can be kept in a very thrifty 

 condition at much less expense. In case the breeder grows 

 very little, if any, of the grain he feeds, it is sometimes 

 economical to feed a small quantity of gluten meal. Avoid 

 feeding foods of a carbonaceous nature, especially to the 

 young animals of the herd. Calves should have grain rich 

 in protein and bone-producing elements, such as oats, bran, 



