THE COMPUTATION OF RATIONS 



707 



It thus appears that the ration made up with the somewhat 

 more expensive cottonseed meal is actually the cheaper. The 

 difference, to be sure, is small, yet for 30 cows fed for 200 

 days it would amount to $30. Such a difference is only likely 

 to be found, however, when, as was assumed in this instance, 

 some feed very high in protein can be had at a relatively cheap 

 rate. In general, it may be said that when there are no very 

 marked differences in the cost of a Therm of energy value in 

 the feeding stuffs constituting the bulk of the ration, that one 

 of the various high-protein feeds which supplies energy at the 

 lowest cost should ordinarily be used, although it is always 

 wise to check up this point, as in the example just given. 



804. The compounding of rations. While in the foregoing 

 examples an exact daily ration is computed, it would, of course, 

 be utterly impracticable in most cases to weigh out separately 

 each day's ration for each animal. Individual weighings of 

 feeds at intervals would often yield valuable information and 

 might profitably be undertaken, but for the ordinary routine 

 of feeding, simpler methods must be used. 



When practicable, the grain feed may be advantageously 

 mixed in advance in the desired proportions in as large quan- 

 tities as the storage capacity available and the proper preserva- 

 tion of the materials will permit. Where facilities are available, 

 the whole amount of grain required for all the animals may be 

 weighed out daily, or even for each feeding, without much ad- 

 ditional labor. In distributing the grain to the individual 

 animals, regard, of course, should be paid to theif productive 

 capacity and their individual peculiarities. The ration as 

 computed is for the average animal. The skill of the feeder is 

 shown in adapting it in quality and in amount to the individual. 



