390 FEEDING IN THE FIELD 



this method of feeding that their operations have received wide 

 notice in the agricultural press. 



Corn Stalks. All corn gatherers leave some corn. This, to- 

 gether with the dry blades on the stalks, makes good feed for sheep 

 and lambs for a time. Stalks are of greatest value as sheep feed in 

 comparatively dry autumn and winter seasons. Wet weather de- 

 teriorates their feeding value and the mud in the fields is hard on the 

 feet of the animals. 



General Suggestions for Feeding in Fields. Those who feed 

 their sheep in fields should observe the following suggestions : First, 

 inspect the sheep or lambs each day. Watch closely for bloat, scours, 

 and lameness. Second, see that the animals have access to salt and the 

 best of water each day. Third, do not force the sheep or lambs to 

 eat the feed in a certain field too closely. It is better to allow them 

 a new field and to let them pick over the old field at will. They 

 will clean it up in time. Fourth, do not allow them to run at will 

 on corn stalks when there is a deep snow. They will search for 

 corn and neglect to eat roughage. Fifth, avoid a great deal of driv- 

 ing, for it is much more detrimental to gains than allowing the 

 animals to take exercise at will. 



Gains. The gains which sheep and lambs make in the fields 

 will vary with the nature of the feed. They sometimes lose instead 

 of gaining in weight. One should have feed of such a nature that 

 the gain will be from 6 to 10 pounds per head per month. 



Shifting to the Dry Lot. Some feed ought to be given in the 

 dry lot before the feeds in the fields are exhausted. Otherwise, the 

 sheep or lambs miay go back in condition before the feed in the 

 fields is gone. Feeding ear corn on bluegrass is a good start toward 

 the transition from fields to dry lot. If the shift is made at the right 

 time one will find that the gains made on very cheap feeds in the 

 fields will materially reduce the cost of gains and hence make the 

 feeding operation more profitable. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Discuss the usefulness of grass to the feeder. 



2. Of what value is rape in the corn belt? 



3. Is it advisable to turn sheep and lambs in the corn field before the corn 



is harvested? 



4. When should corn stalks be pastured? 



5. How much gain can be expected from field feeding? 



6. Review treatment for bloat, Chapter XXXIII. 



7. Review the discussion on forage crops, Chapter XXXIII. 



