ECONOMY IN FEEDING LIVE STOCK 111 



the greater the amount of protein-rich feeds used in the ration, the 

 higher was the cost. Often conditions are just opposite to this. For 

 example, let us suppose that a southern dairyman has the following 

 concentrates available : ground corn at $30, oats at $35, and cotton- 

 seed meal at $25. By computing the cost per pound of total digestible 

 nutrients, as on Page 108, it will be found that at these prices cotton- 

 seed meal, which is extremely rich in protein, furnishes total digest- 

 ible nutrients most cheaply. Accordingly the cheapest ration that 

 could be computed would be one in which cottonseed meal was the 

 only concentrate fed. 



However, it is not safe to feed cows such a large amount of cotton- 

 seed meal as this would require. Cottonseed meal is not only poison- 

 ous when fed in too large amounts, but it is too rich in protein and 

 too heavy to be fed as the sole concentrate to dairy cows. It would 

 therefore be necessary to substitute feeds which were lower in protein 

 and bulkier for some of the cottonseed meal, even tho this would 

 slightly increase the cost of the ration. 



II. Adapting Systems of Feeding to Local Conditions 



Amount of protein to supply. — The illustrations given in the pre- 

 ceding articles show clearly that rations should be adapted to the local 

 conditions. Feeding standards set forth approximately the amount 

 of protein and total nutrients, which, it is believed, should be fur- 

 nished for the maximum production of flesh, milk, work, etc., and for 

 maintaining the highest well-being of the animal. It will be noted 

 that in the Modified Wolff-Lehmann standards a range is indicated 

 in the amount of digestible ct"ude protein advised for most classes of 

 animals. For example, for 2-year-old steers on full feed from 2.0 to 

 2.3 lbs. of digestible crude protein per 1,000 lbs. live weight are recom- 

 mended for the first 50-60 days of fattening. When protein-rich 

 feeds cost but little or no more than carbonaceous feeds, it is well to 

 feed at least as much protein as indicated by the higher figures. On 

 the other hand, when corn or the other grains are relatively cheap it 

 may be better economy to feed no more protein than called for by the 

 lower figures. For example, corn and clover hay alone make a fairly 

 well-balanced ration for fattening cattle and sheep. However, the 

 gains are usually slightly increased and a higher finish secured when 

 a small allowance of some suitable nitrogenous concentrate is added 

 to the ration. Whether such addition will be profitable or not de- 

 pends on the prices of the feeds and on whether the market will pay 

 a better price for the more highly finished animal. Rarely is it ad- 

 visable to feed a materially smaller allowance of protein than the 

 lower figures, for the production will be thereby lowered. 



