MEAT PRODUCTION 449 



It was estimated in Chapter X that a pound of increase in 

 live weight in the mature fattening animal is equivalent to about 

 3.25 Therms of energy. If it is allowable to apply this average 

 to the fattening of younger animals, this would be equivalent 

 to saying that for each pound of increase in weight above that 

 due to growth proper, about 3.25 Therms of net energy should 

 be added to the requirements for growth as estimated in Chapter 

 XI (480-483). The energy requirement of the meat animal, 

 therefore, will obviously depend on its capacity to produce gain 

 of flesh or fat and the extent to which it is desired to utilize this 

 capacity, and no specific and invariable requirements can be 

 formulated. 



529. Total amount of feed. If, for the reasons given in 

 previous paragraphs, the proportion of digestible protein in the 

 ration is kept above a certain limit, the question of the amount 

 of net energy to be supplied resolves itself into the question of 

 the most profitable total amount of feed to be given and this 

 depends upon a variety of conditions. 



It has already been pointed out (512) that only with animals 

 having a rapid rate of growth and maturing early is it advisable 

 to begin intensive feeding before a fair degree of maturity is 

 reached. With ordinary animals the major portion of their 

 growth may be more cheaply supported upon pasture and the 

 ordinary roughages with relatively small amounts of concen- 

 trates, since the growth process cannot be materially has- 

 tened by heavy feeding. When, however, the time for begin- 

 ning the fattening process involving the use of expensive con- 

 centrates is reached (533), whether this be early or late, it is 

 important to hasten it as much as practicable in order to re- 

 duce the cost of maintenance, attendance, etc., and the question 

 of the most profitable amount of feed becomes an important one. 



530. Heavy feeding profitable. That comparatively heavy 

 feeding of fattening animals is economically advantageous is 

 shown by the experience of practical feeders, and is evident from 

 the fact, to which attention has already been called several times, 

 that a less proportion of the heavy ration is required for the 

 maintenance of the animal. Were this the only factor involved, 

 it would follow mathematically that the greater the amount of 

 feed consumed the greater would be the growth per unit of feed 

 and therefore that the appetite of the fattening animal should 



2 G 



