FEEDS FOR BEEF CATTLE 309 



aging 132 days, in which one lot of steers was fed only com and 

 carbonaceous roughage, while linseed meal, cottonseed meal, or gluten 

 feed was added to the ration of the other lot. /^ 



Protein-rich concentrates as supplements to corn 



Lot I, fed only corn and carbonaceous roughage, gained but 1.6 

 lbs. per head daily, while Lot II, receiving 2.1 lbs. of protein-rich 

 concentrates in addition, gained 2.2 lbs. per head daily and required 

 about 20 per ct. less feed per 100 lbs. gain. When the corn allow- 

 ance is properly balanced, not only is the feeding value of this grain 

 greatly increased with both the cattle and the pigs Avhich follow the 

 steers, but it keeps the animals more healthy, shortens the feeding 

 period, and gives a higher finish than can be secured with unbalanced 

 rations. 



Adding a protein-rich concentrate to corn and legume hay. — 

 Whether it will pay to add a nitrogenous concentrate to a ration of 

 corn and legume hay will depend on the relative prices of corn and 

 the other feeds. During the early part of the fattening period 

 steers given all the legume hay they will clean up eat enough of it to 

 balance their ration quite well. Later, when they eat niore corn and 

 less hay, the ration becomes too low in protein, and adding a protein- 

 rich concentrate will then cause larger gains. With feeds at usual 

 prices, it ordinarily pays to give at least 2 lbs. of linseed or cotton- 

 seed meal per head daily, or an equivalent amount of other protein- 

 rich feeds, when steers are fed corn and clover hay. With alfalfa 

 hay for roughage, there is less advantage in adding protein-rich con- 

 centrates, since alfalfa is higher in protein than clover. 



Preparation of corn for beef cattle. — The practice of successful 

 stockmen in the corn belt and trials at the experiment stations show 

 that, in general, getting corn to cattle in the simplest manner and 

 with the least preparation and handling is the most economical, when 

 pigs follow the steers to consume any grains which escape mastica- 

 tion. The majority of feeders accordingly feed shock corn, husked 



