116 FARM ANIMALS 



Rye is not an important feed in fattening steers, 

 partly on account of the limited extent to which 

 it is grown and partly for the reason that it is not 

 so palatable as other grains. In Idaho fairly 

 satisfactory results were obtained in steers when 

 fed a grain ration consisting of one part chopped 

 rye, one part bran and two parts chopped wheat. 

 The chopped rye, however, was not very well 

 relished by the steers. 



Soy-Bean Meal. This is used in increasing 

 quantities in parts of the South. Along with other 

 similar legumes it has the advantage of improving 

 the soil and on this account has received more 

 attention of late years in the South. In Kansas 

 soy-bean meal was scattered over the other grains 

 in the feeding boxes to the extent of one-half pound 

 per head at first and this amount was gradually 

 increased to a maximum of four pounds per day. 

 The meal when fed in rations of this size proved to 

 be too laxative and had to be reduced to one pound. 

 On account of its pronounced laxative effect the 

 use of soy-bean meal was discontinued as a part of 

 the steer ration in Kansas. 



Velvet Beans. Velvet beans in the pod have 

 been fed in Florida in rations of three bushels. 

 When fed alone with a suitable rough age it appeared 

 to constitute a ration which was somewhat inferior 

 to a nitrogenous hay and cassava. 



Wheat when chopped and fed as the only grain 

 ration, in combination with corn silage and hay, 

 is a very effective ration in fattening steers. It 

 appears to be somewhat superior in this respect to 

 barley or oats. When wheat is fed continuously, 

 steers tire of the ration after a period of two months 

 and a change is necessary to induce them to eat a 

 maximum grain ration. In England when wheat 



