370 Feeds and Feeding. 



We learn by the preceding data that while at first only 730 

 pounds of grain were required for 100 pounds of gain, for the 

 whole six-months period over 1,000 pounds were required- The 

 increase of feed percentagely is shown in the last column. It 

 begins with 10 per cent, and increases to 37 per cent. The heav^ 

 cost of thoroughly fattening the steer and the importance of 

 selliug at the earliest possible date are here made plain. (80, 

 594, 847) I 



5f 5. Feed for 100 pounds gain during fattening. — By consulting 

 the tables in the preceding chapter the student can ascertain the 

 feed requirements of steers while fattening. The grain in addi- 

 tion to roughage required for 100 pounds of gain will be found 

 to range from 400 to 1 ,500 pounds. This wide rauge of require 

 ments can but excite keen interest among students of stock man 

 agement. The lowest requirements are reported from the Texa*s 

 Station (540), where, however, the steers wore of light weight, 

 and were probably very thin in flesh at the beginning of the feed- 

 ing period, so that a part of the increase was due to a natural 

 fiUing-up process. Further, these steers were on pi.dtiue and the 

 feeding period was short. Where as much as 1,500 pounds ol 

 grain were required for 100 pounds of gain, it was for a six- 

 months feeding period, with corn only for concentrates, and the 

 animals were well fattened. 



In general, taking the available data we have presented for the 

 basis, it may be stated that about 1,000 pounds of grain will be re- 

 quired for 100 pounds of gain with well-fattened steers, on the aver- 

 age, besides 500 pounds of coarse food in the shape of hay, stover, 

 etc. Steers in thin flesh, those fed for short periods only, and lots 

 handled under unusually favorable conditions will give the re- 

 quired gain for a considerably less aiaount of grain than just stated, 

 while those fed for long periods may require 50 per cent. more. 

 (757, 845) 



567. Dry matter required for 100 pounds of gain. — Thorne^ sum- 

 marizes the results of feeding trials at Stations in eight states with 

 132 steers, and finds that 1,023 pounds of dry matter were re- 

 quired for each 100 pounds of gain. 



Lawes and Gilbert « tell us that from 12 to 13 pounds of dry 



» Bui. 60, Ohio Expt. Sta. 



« Rothamstt'd Memoirs. Vol. H. 



