GROWTH AND FATTENING 97 



At the end of 17 months the steers fed the protein-rich ration had each 

 gained 105 Ibs. more on the average than those fed the protein-poor 

 ration, and they also appeared much more thrifty. One steer from each 

 pair was then slaughtered and the carcasses were analyzed. The other 

 steers were continued on the same rations for 10 months longer. They 

 were then likewise slaughtered and their carcasses analyzed. During this 

 latter period the steer fed the ration fairly low in protein gained even 

 faster than the one fed the ration high in protein. This was due to the 

 fact that the protein tissues of the body had already been largely grown, 

 and the gain consisted chiefly of fat. There was no marked difference in 

 the composition of the carcasses of the steers fed these rations, owing 

 undoubtedly to the fact previously mentioned ; i. e., that the protein-low 

 ration was not so poor a ration as corn alone for pigs. 



These data demonstrate the truth of the statement previously made 

 (115), that a ration rich in protein favors rapid growth of young 

 animals. On the other hand, when the body is partly or largely grown, 

 the largest gains, which are then mostly fat, come from liberal feeding 

 with rations which are rich in digestible carbohydrates and rather 

 limited in crude protein; i. e., having a comparatively wide nutritive 

 ratio. Doubtless more economical results than were secured with either 

 lot would have been obtained had these steers been fed a fairly narrow 

 ration the first year, and then fattened on a wider ration. Trials with 

 larger numbers of animals, already mentioned (129), show that the 

 largest gains are made by 2-year-old steers when fed a somewhat 

 narrower ration than the wide one fed by Jordan. 



137. Growth under adverse conditions. Extensive experiments carried 

 on at the Missouri 45 and Kansas 46 Stations are of much interest in show- 

 ing what happens when young animals are fed only enough feed to 

 maintain their weights. In these trials some steers have been grown to 

 maturity on liberal rations, while others for periods of several months 

 have been fed rations so scant that they could make no gain in live 

 weight. Still others were fed sub-maintenance rations, supplying so little 

 feed that the steers steadily lost weight. One of the primary objects of 

 these experiments was to find whether such scant feeding permanently 

 stunts the animal. This matter is of great practical importance, because 

 under range conditions the feed during the winter is often so sparse that 

 the young cattle weigh considerably less in the spring than they did in 

 the fall. Also under farm conditions it is quite a common practice to 

 feed young stocker steers which are not to be fattened for market im- 

 mediately, a ration consisting chiefly of cheap roughage, on which they 

 will make but little gain in weight. 



In some of the trials at the Missouri Station by Waters and P. F. 



* 5 Waters and Trowbridge, Proc. Soc. Prom. Agr. Sci. 1908; information to the 

 authors; Trowbridge, Moulton, and Haigh, Mo. Res. Buls. 28 and 43. 



^Waters, Cochel, and Vestal, Kansas Industrialist, May 10, 1913; Apr. 18, 

 1914; and information to the authors. 



