April, '19] COST OF RAISING BEEF CATTLE. 7 



time to offset its astringent character the meal was mixed with 

 wheat bran in the proportion by weight of one part bran to two 

 of meal. 



From a survey of the field in which the hay was cut the relative 

 proportion of grasses in the hay was estimated at 50 per cent 

 Witch Grass, 10 per cent Red Top, 10 per cent June Grass, 25 

 per cent Timothy and 5 per cent of other mixed varieties. 



On the basis of Henry's tables on digestibility the ration as 

 fed had approximately the following composition in digestible 

 nutrients : 



Dry Matter, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat, 



Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. 



12| Lbs. native hay 11.35 .62 5.38 .13 



3 Lbs. meal mixture 2.70 .76 .928 .19 



Total ration 14.00 1.38 6.31 .32 



Total required 12.50 1.25 6.60 .35 



While there was apparently a surplus of dry matter this was 

 easily offset by some wastage of hay due to its poor quality, 

 which waste was used for bedding. The amount actually used 

 was somewhat less as will be seen in the following table or balance 

 sheet on the financial operation between December 1, 1917, and 

 May 15, 1918. 



Winter Period — December 1 to May 15. 



Average weight, December 1, 1917 343.0 lbs. 



Average weight, May 15, 1918 504 . lbs. 



Total gain per head 161 . lbs. 



Daily gain per head 1.0 lbs. 



Total hay consumed 17,847.0 lbs. 



Total cottonseed meal consumed 3,042.0 lbs. 



Total bran consumed 1,500 . lbs. 



Total middhngs consumed 484 . lbs. 



Cost of steers, December 1, 1917 $425 . 00 



Value on May 15, 1918 (on market basis at 14c) $705 . 60 



Interest on investment at 6 per cent . . ." 19 . 00 



Cost of hay at $9 per ton 80 . 31 



cottonseed meal at $52 per ton 80 . 10 



bran at $2.45 per cwt 36.75 



middlings 13 .52 



salt 1 . 50 



