FEEDS FOR SHEEP 563 



addition gained 0.323 Ib. per head daily, an increase of only 0.010 Ib. 

 The addition of the supplement did not, however, decrease the amount of 

 concentrates or hay required for 100 Ibs. gain. 



In 8 trials at the Nebraska 48 and Ohio* 9 Stations the effect of adding 

 linseed meal to a ration of corn and alfalfa hay for fattening lambs has 

 been investigated. In these trials the average daily gain of the lambs fed 

 only corn and alfalfa hay was 0.349 Ib. and of those fed linseed meal 

 in addition, 0.382 Ib., or only 0.033 Ib. more. When the linseed meal 

 was fed, slightly less concentrates and hay were required for 100 Ibs. 

 gain, so that 100 Ibs. of linseed meal saved 88 Ibs. of corn plus 45 Ibs. 

 of hay. Due to the fact that linseed meal is usually much higher in price 

 per ton than corn, the gains of the lambs fed no linseed meal were usually 

 cheaper. 



We may conclude from these trials that it does not generally pay to 

 add a supplement to a ration of only corn and legume hay for fattening 

 lambs. It is pointed out later, however, that it is usually profitable to 

 use a supplement when corn and legume hay are fed with corn silage, as 

 the silage is low in protein. (868) 



859. Legume hays compared. Red clover, one of the best roughages 

 for sheep, should be cut early to secure the leaves and heads, which are 

 the portions most desired. (347) The relative value of alfalfa and clover 

 hay for sheep has been a disputed point. From 4 trials at the Indiana 

 Station, 50 Skinner and King conclude that when fed with shelled corn 

 these hays have practically the same value, if of equal quality. Car- 

 michael and Hammond of the Ohio Station, 51 and Humphrey and Klein- 

 heinz of the Wisconsin Station 52 also found little difference in the value 

 of alfalfa and clover hay. Since alfalfa hay is richer than clover in pro- 

 tein, it undoubtedly has a somewhat higher value than clover when fed 

 in such a ration as corn, corn silage, and hay, with no protein-rich 

 supplements. (338) Alsike clover hay proved even slightly superior to 

 alfalfa in a trial at the Montana Station. 53 (350) Mammoth clover hay 

 is usually coarser and more stemmy than medium red clover. (349) 



Cowpea or soybean hay is excellent for sheep when of good quality. 

 (357, 358) In a trial at the Oklahoma Station 54 cowpea hay proved equal 

 to alfalfa hay, while in a trial at the Kansas Station 55 lambs fed cowpea 

 hay required 14 per ct. more grain and silage and 29 per ct. more hay 

 for 100 Ibs. gain than others fed alfalfa hay. 



Sweet clover hay was found fully equal to alfalfa hay in a trial by 

 Hackedorn at the Prosser, Washington, Branch Station, and in a trial 

 at the South Dakota Station Wilson found it a palatable and satisfactory 



^Gramlich and Savin, Nebr. Bui. 173, and information to the authors. 



^armichael and Hammond, Ohio Bui. 245. 



BO Ind. Buls. 179, 184, 192, 202. "Mont. Bui. 21. 



"Ohio Bui. 245. M Okla. Bui. 78. 



""Unpublished data. "Information to the authors. 



