370 Feed* and Feeding. 



We learn by the preceding data that while at first only 730 

 pounds of grain were required for 100 pounds of gain, for the 

 whole six-months period over 1,000 pounds were required. The 

 increase of feed percentagely is shown in the last column. It 

 begins with 10 per cent, and increases to 37 per cent. The heavy 

 cost of thoroughly fattening the steer and the importance of 

 selling at the earliest possible date are here made plain. (80, 

 594, 847) 



566. Feed for 100 pounds gain during fattening. By consulting 

 the tables in the preceding chapter the student can ascertain the 

 feed requirements of steers while fattening. The grain in addi- 

 tion to roughage required for 100 pounds of gain will be found to 

 range from 400 to 1, 500 pounds. This wide range of requirements 

 can but excite keen interest among students of stock management. 

 The lowest amounts stated are for results at the Texas Station; 

 here the steers were all of light weight though quite mature, and 

 it is probable they were very thin in flesh at the beginning of the 

 feeding period, so that a part of the increased weight was due to 

 a natural filling-up process. The feeding period, too, was short. 

 Where as much as 1,500 pounds of grain were required for 100 

 pounds of gain, it was for a six-months feeding period, with corn 

 only for concentrates, and the animals were well fattened. 



In general, taking the available data we have presented for the 

 basis, it may be stated that about 1,000 pounds of grain will be re- 

 quired for 100 pounds of gain with well-fattened steers, on the aver- 

 age, besides 500 pounds of coarse food in the shape of hay, stover, 

 etc. Steers in thin flesh, those fed for short periods only, and lots 

 handled under unusually favorable conditions will give the re- 

 quired gain for a considerably less amount of grain than just stated, 

 while those fed for long periods may require 50 per cent. more. 

 (757,875) 



567. Dry matter required for 100 pounds of gain. Thome 1 sum- 

 marizes the results of feeding trials at Stations in eight states with 

 132 steers, and finds that 1,023 pounds of dry matter were re- 

 quired for each 100 pounds of gain. 



Lawes and Gilbert 2 tell us that from 12 to 13 pounds of dry 



1 Bui. 60, Ohio Expt. Bta. 



2 Bothamsted Memoirs, Vol. V. 



