6 . N. H. AGE. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 182 



with enough of a high protein concentrate to balance the nitrogen 

 requirements for growth. 



Character and Quality of Hay Used. 



New Hampshire hay, known generally as native hay but com- 

 mercially as "Stock Hay," varies considerably in the character 

 of the grasses from which it is made as you go from low lands to 

 higher altitudes. So far as its feeding value is concerned an 

 even greater variation in quaUty results from the prolonged 

 period during which first cut hay is made. This often extends 

 from late June into September. 



The hay used here was cut in September so that a low digesti- 

 bihty, due to a highly fibrous character, was further accentuated 

 by late cutting. The market value was but little over half the 

 value of No. 1 Stock Hay with practically no demand for hay 

 of that quality at that time. 



No factor for the digestibility of this type of hay was available 

 but it was safe to assume that it would be relatively low. A 

 grade of native hay of a much superior quality shows the follow- 

 ing analysis: Dry matter, 90.68; crude protein, 6.41; fat, 2.07; 

 carbohydrates, 78.11. 



Nutritive Requirements and Supply. 



The average weight of these animals at beginning of the exper- 

 iment was 343 pounds. Allowing for a considerable shrinkage, 

 which they must have suffered in shipment from Texas and from 

 some driving at this end, it was assumed that the ration should 

 be calculated on a 500-pound basis as the final probable average 

 for the whole winter period. Growing animals of this age and 

 weight require per 1,000 pounds live weight, 25 pounds dry mat- 

 ter, 2.5 pounds digestible protein, 13.2 pounds digestible car- 

 bohydrates and 0.7 pounds digestible fat. To keep them in 

 thrifty growing condition would actually require about one-half 

 that amount per head as a daily average based on the accepted 

 feeding standards. 



To balance the native hay which is low in digestible protein 

 cottonseed meal was chosen as the cheapest high protein con- 

 centrate. To render the meal more palatable and at the same 



