ECONOMY IN FEEDING LIVE STOCK 147 



is needless to compute the cost of the different feeds per pound of 

 digestible crude protein. All we need to consider is the economy with 

 which they supply total digestible nutrients and also the facts concern- 

 ing the general characteristics of each feed. 



The cheapest ration for this cotton-belt dairyman to feed would be 

 only cottonseed meal as the concentrate, with cowpea hay and corn 

 silage for roughage. However, it is not safe to feed over 4 pounds of 

 cottonseed meal per head daily to dairy cows over long periods. (596) 

 Therefore, some other feeds lower in protein must be used to replace 

 part of the cottonseed meal. Ground corn is but slightly more expensive 

 per pound of total digestible nutrients than the cottonseed meal, and 

 should therefore be the chief concentrate used along with it. Wheat 

 bran is a bulky feed and is well suited for feeding with cottonseed meal, 

 It is therefore advisable to include a small amount in the concentrate 

 mixture. 



Taking all the facts into consideration, it will be found on computing 

 rations as in the preceding paragraphs that an economical and efficient 

 ration would be cottonseed meal, 4 pounds ; ground corn, 2.5 pounds ; and 

 wheat bran, 1.5 pounds; fed with 12 pounds of cowpea hay and 36 

 pounds of corn silage. Velvet bean feed could be substituted for part 

 of the cottonseed meal without increasing the cost materially. 



II. ADAPTING SYSTEMS OP FEEDING TO LOCAL CONDITIONS 



197. Amount of protein to supply. The illustrations given in the pre- 

 ceding articles show clearly that rations should be adapted to the local 

 conditions. Feeding standards set forth approximately the amount of 

 protein and total nutrients, which it is believed should be furnished for 

 the maximum production of flesh, milk, work, etc., and for maintaining 

 the highest well-being of the animal. It will be noted that in the Mor- 

 rison standards a range is indicated in the amount of digestible crude 

 protein which is advised for most classes of farm animals. For example, 

 for 2-year-old steers on full feed from 1.9 to 2.2 Ibs. of digestible crude 

 protein per 1,000 Ibs. live weight are recommended for the first 50-60 

 days of fattening. When protein-rich feeds cost but little or no more 

 than carbonaceous feeds, it is well to feed at least as much protein as 

 indicated by the higher figures. On the other hand, when corn or the 

 other grains are relatively cheap, it may be better economy to feed no 

 more protein than called for by the lower figures. Barely is it advisable 

 to feed a materially smaller allowance of protein than the lower figures, 

 for the production will be thereby lowered. 



As is shown later (732, 843-4), corn and clover hay alone make a fairly 

 well-balanced ration for fattening cattle and sheep. However, the gains 

 are usually slightly increased and a higher finish secured when a small 

 allowance of some suitable nitrogenous concentrate is added to the ration. 

 Whether such addition will be profitable or not depends on the prices 



