448 



A study of Table I will show that during each of the three 

 years the cattle remaining in the dry lot continued to consume a 

 maximum amount of grain while those turned on grass in each in- 

 stance consumed from three to six pounds less per head than they 

 were accustomed to at the close of the winter feeding experiment. 

 There was not a very material increase in the amount consumed in. 

 dry lot in later periods but in the pasture the increase was quite 

 rapid until about the close of the experiment when the steers on 

 pasture were again consuming practically the same as those in the 

 dry lot. In the second test during the last period they were consum- 

 ing more. This is the first noticeable difference between the two- 

 methods of feeding, and shows that yearling steers which have been 

 given a full feed of grain during the winter months will, if turned 

 on grass about the middle of May, lose their appetite for grain when 

 first turned out, not regaining it until they have been on pasture 

 from 40 to 50 days. A detailed study of bulletins No. 129 and No. 

 136 will show that the steers, when divided into two lots on May 

 20, 1907, were consuming 12 pounds of shelled corn, 1.9 pounds 

 cotton-seed meal, 2.25 pounds clover hay and 10 pounds corn silage 

 per head daily; during the next 10 day period, the dry-lot steers 

 consumed 12.9 pounds shelled corn, 2 pounds cotton-seed meal and 

 5 pounds hay and the pasture steers 6.9 pounds shelled corn, 1.32- 

 pounds cotton-seed meal. The following year when divided into- 

 two lots on May 15, 1908, they were consuming 11.5 pounds shelled 

 corn, 1.7 pounds cotton-seed meal,. 2. 25 pounds clover hay and 10 

 pounds corn silage per head daily; during the next 10 day period, 

 the dry-lot steers consumed 12.75 pounds shelled corn 1.8 pounds 

 cotton-seed meal, 2.3 pounds clover hay and 10 pounds corn silage, 

 and the pasture steers, 9 pounds shelled corn and 1.27 pounds cotton- 

 seed meal. The third year, when divided into two lots on May 17^ 

 1909, they were consuming 13.5 pounds shelled corn, 2 pounds cot- 

 ton-seed meal and 5 pounds clover hay per head daily; during the 

 next 10 day period, the dry-lot steers consumed 14 pounds shelled 

 corn, 2 pounds cotton-seed meal and 5 pounds clover hay, and the 

 pasture steers, 12.6 pounds shelled corn and 1.9 pounds cotton-seed 

 meal. The results of three years work with yearling steers which 

 have had a full feed of grain during the preceding winter, show 

 conclusively, that when they are kept in the dry lot they will not 

 only consume their regular full feed during the latter half of May, 

 but will also show a normal increase in grain consumption. If 

 turned on pasture they lose their appetite for grain to some extent 

 and depend upon green succulent grass which is more palatable to, 

 them. It should be understood that these results were secured with 

 steers which had received a full feed of both grain and roughage 



