Table III. 



SHOWING AVERAGE DAILY GAIN PER HEAD BY 



MONTHS. 



Table III shows the average daily gain per head in each lot dur- 

 ing the period of five months. In comparing Lot I, fed a concentrated 

 ration, with Lot II, fed a bulky ration, it may be seen that during the 

 first three months of the period the steers on the bulky ration made the 

 most rapid gains, while during the last two months those on the con- 

 centrated ration increased more rapidly. When the total period is 

 considered the concentrated ration proved more effective as far as the 

 rate of gain is concerned. 



By referring to Table II it will be seen that the steers in Lot I 

 on a concentrated ration consumed 16.66 pounds air-dry matter during 

 the first month, and those in Lot II, on a bulky ration, 15.59 pounds, a 

 difference of 1.07 pounds. During the fifth month the amounts con- 

 sumed were 25.50 pounds in Lot I and 22.62 pounds in Lot II, a dif- 

 ference of 2.88 pounds which, in a large measure, accounts for the ad- 

 ditional gains made by Lot I as the feeding period progressed. This 

 would seem to indicate that a bulky ration with thin cattle is just as 

 efficient as one of more concentrated form, but as cattle fatten, 

 concentrates become necessary if the rate of gain is to be maintained. 

 By comparing the gains made by Lot III, when silage was ex- 

 tensively used, with Lot I, where it was limited* the difference is in 

 favor of the heavy silage ration. 



The results of the previous tests at this Station have shown clearly 

 that fattening steers will make as rapid gains when fed on dry feeds 

 in the open lot as similar cattle fed in the barn. Previous tests, how- 

 ever, have not included rations where the roughage consisted largely 

 of corn silage. On account of the prevalent idea that the feeding of 



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