PRODUCTIVE FEEDING 

 OF FARM ANIMALS 



INTRODUCTION" 



PRODUCTIVE feeding of farm animals is only one of the factors 

 on which successful animal husbandry depends ; others are : Keep- 

 ing the right kind of stock; giving it the necessary care and atten- 

 tion and maintaining the animals in a healthy condition. Each of 

 these factors is of fundamental importance to the stockman. If 

 one is. not given due attention, the results secured will not be satis- 

 factory, no matter how favorable the conditions with which the 

 animals may be surrounded in other respects. 



A clear understanding of the main principles underlying the 

 nutrition of farm animals has never been more important to the 

 stock farmer than at the present time, with prevailing high prices for 

 feed and labor. In order to secure profitable returns, the farmer 

 must be able to adapt these principles to the special conditions that 

 surround him ; these are likely to vary in different years, both as to 

 prices and products. Modern industries supply immense quantities 

 of by-products that serve as feed for farm stock, such as flour- and 

 oil-mill feeds, starch and sugar-factory feeds, brewery and dis- 

 tillery feeds, and others. These differ much in nutritive values as 

 well as in cost. Since better results may be obtained in feeding 

 stock a combination of different feeds than from only one or 

 two, it is important not only to understand the principles of stock 

 feeding, but to become familiar with the different available feeding 

 stuffs, their main characteristics and nutritive properties, as well 

 as their relative values under changing market conditions. Only 

 in this way can the stock farmer secure the best and most economical 

 returns from his feeding operations and make stock raising pay; 

 provided the other factors have received proper attention: Keep- 

 ing animals adapted for the purpose in view, and giving them the 

 care which they require in order to do well. 



Animal husbandry is one of the most remunerative branches of 

 agriculture when rightly conducted, and it makes permanent agri- 

 culture possible. The stock farmer is a manufacturer, converting 



1 



