FEEDS FOR BEEF CATTLE 481 



tory concentrate for beef cattle. Its feeding value per ton is no greater 

 than that of corn. (213) In a trial with beef calves being fattened for 

 baby beef at the Kansas Station, 49 Cochel found ground corn slightly 

 superior to hominy feed. Likewise in one trial by Gramlich at the 

 Nebraska Station similar results were secured in a comparison of shelled 

 corn and hominy feed for 2-year-old steers, but in another trial the 

 hominy feed was of slightly higher value than corn. 50 



II. NITROGENOUS CONCENTRATES 



750. Cottonseed meal. This protein-rich concentrate is the basis of the 

 fattening of beef cattle in the South and is widely used in the northern 

 states as a supplement to rations deficient in protein. (249-50) Trials at 

 the Indiana Station, which are reviewed later (777), show that 2.5 Ibs. of 

 cottonseed meal per head daily per 1,000 Ibs. live weight is sufficient to 

 balance a ration of shelled corn, corn silage, and oat straw or clover hay. 

 Therefore in the North it is not economical to feed more than this to 

 fattening cattle, for in this section cottonseed meal is practically always 

 higher in price than corn or other grains. 



When cottonseed meal or linseed meal is added to a ration deficient 

 in protein and ojily sufficient is fed to balance the ration, each 100 Ibs. 

 of these supplements will usually save the equivalent of 250 to 300 Ibs. 

 of shelled corn, due to the fact that considerably less feed will be required 

 per 100 Ibs. gain. In addition there will be an important added ad- 

 vantage, due to the fact that the steers fed the properly-balanced ration 

 will reach a better finish and sell for a higher price on the market. 

 (733, 776) 



In the South, cottonseed meal is quite commonly the cheapest concen- 

 trate available, and it is then fed as the only concentrate, along with 

 cottonseed hulls, corn silage, or other roughage. Since the meal is 

 poisonous to cattle when fed in excess, several trials have been carried 

 on by the southern stations to find how large an allowance should be fed 

 for the best results. In all cases cattle should be accustomed to cotton- 

 seed meal gradually and it should be mixed with roughage so a greedy 

 steer can not overeat. 



During each of 3 years Willson fed 2-year-old steers, averaging 944 Ibs. 

 in weight, for 90-day periods at the Tennessee Station 51 on corn silage and 

 different amounts of cottonseed meal, as is shown in the table. The 

 steers fed low cottonseed meal allowances received 3 Ibs. of meal for the 

 first 30 days, 4 Ibs. for the second 30 days, and 5 Ibs. for the last month. 

 Those on medium allowances received 4 or 5 Ibs. for the first month, 5 or 

 6 for the second, and 6 or 7 for the third; while those on the heavy 

 allowances received 7, 8, and 9 Ibs. respectively, for the 3 months of the 

 feeding period. 



"Information to the authors. ^Information to the authors. "Tenn. Bui. 104. 



