FEEDS FOR BEEF CATTLE 473 



Fattening calves require a larger proportion of protein in their ration, 

 and therefore it may be advisable to add 1 to 1.5 Ibs. of linseed meal, 

 cottonseed meal, or other protein-rich supplement to a ration of corn 

 and alfalfa hay. For example, in a trial at the Kansas Station, 6 Cochel 

 found that calves fattened on a ration of shelled corn, linseed meal, and 

 alfalfa hay made slightly larger and more economical gains and returned 

 $1.76 more profit per head than others fed only corn and alfalfa hay. 



734. Amount of corn to feed fattening steers. Whether to feed fatten- 

 ing cattle all the corn or other concentrates they will eat, or to limit the 

 amount of concentrates, or perhaps even fatten them on only silage, hay, 

 and enough protein-rich supplement to balance the ration is a problem 

 of the utmost importance in fattening cattle. Upon good judgment in 

 deciding this question may largely depend the financial outcome of the 

 feeding operations. This matter has been fully discussed in the preced- 

 ing chapters. (715-6) It has there been pointed out that the two most 

 important factors to consider in deciding how much concentrates to 

 feed are: (1) The relative price of concentrates and roughages; (2) 

 The probable difference in selling price for cattle thoroly finished on a 

 liberal allowance of concentrates and for those only fairly well fleshed. 

 The same principles apply when barley, grain sorghum, or other cereals 

 are used in place of corn. 



735. Preparation of corn for beef cattle. The practice of successful 

 stockmen in the corn belt and the results of trials at the experiment 

 stations agree in showing that, in general, getting corn to cattle in the 

 simplest manner and with the least preparation and handling is the most 

 economical, when pigs follow the steers to consume any grains which 

 escape mastication. The majority of feeders accordingly feed shock 

 corn, husked or unhusked ear corn, or shelled corn, but few using corn 

 meal or corn-and-cob meal thruout the fattening period. To induce young 

 animals to eat sufficient corn to overcome their tendency to grow 

 rather than to fatten, more preparation is warranted than for older 

 ones. Many skilled feeders seek to "keep the feed better than the 

 cattle ;" i.e., they prepare the feed more as the cattle gain in flesh. Thus, 

 they may start the steers on shock corn ; then as they require more 

 concentrates, add snapped corn or ear corn ; still later the ear corn 

 is broken or shelled; and toward the close of the fattening period, to 

 tempt them to consume a heavier allowance of grain, corn meal or 

 corn-and-cob meal is employed. 



Corn long stored in the crib becomes dry and hard, losing fragrance 

 and aroma thru exposure to air and vermin. For summer feeding such 

 grain should be specially prepared by soaking or shelling, or possibly by 

 grinding. Corn should be soaked from 12 to 18 hours, care being taken 

 to change the water frequently and to keep the feed boxes clean and 

 sweet. 



"Information to the authors. 



