294 The Feeding of Anhncds 



to the accepted feeding standard for milch cows. If 

 the prices of dairj^ products are low, and those of pro- 

 tein feeding stuffs are high, it is entirely possible for 

 the farmer to secure more profit from his cows with 

 an "unbalanced" ration than with one which has the 

 standard nutritive ratio. 



The western stockman can generally afford to waste 

 corn on fattening steers rather than use it with greater 

 physiological economy by mixing it with purchased 

 grains. The cost of the latter would soon offset the 

 profits otherwise possible. All this is equivalent to 

 saying that practical considerations often justify a 

 wide departure from the standard rations. Hill states 

 the case well when he says : 



"The study of the requirements of the individual 

 animal and the adapting of food to its needs is to be 

 preferred to placing the herd, as a whole, upon anj^ 

 inflexible ration. The capacity of an animal to re- 

 ceive, its ability to produce, the effects of the sundry 

 feeds upon tlie health and condition of the animal, 

 upon its appetite and taste, upon the quality of the 

 product, the money values of feed and the profits to 

 be derived from their use, are important considera- 

 tions which do not enter into the make-up of the 

 physiological standard, but which are vital factors in 

 the feeder's problem. Clearly the physiological stand- 

 ards may supplement, and in some measure guide,- 

 judgment, but cannot take its place." 



