246 BULLETIN 133 



5. The cost of producing a pound of gain was considerably 

 less during the first period, when roughage only was fed, than dur- 

 ing the second period, when grain also was fed. 



6. Cattle receiving no corn silage, but fed corn from the be- 

 ginning of the experiment, consumed more dry matter daily than 

 those fed corn silage without corn. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The prevailing high price of beef cattle during 1911, 1912, and 

 1913 created unusual interest in this class of live stock in Pennsyl- 

 vania. Feeding cattle were in strong demand in the fall of 1913 

 and consequently sold at extremely high prices. The prevailing 

 price was about one dollar per hundred higher than during the 

 same time the previous year. As compared with conditions exist- 

 ing during 1912 and 1913, the price of all farm feeds ranged much 

 higher. The high prices paid for feeders combined with high priced 

 grain and roughage made cattle feeding an unprofitable enterprise 

 during the past winter. Very few cattle feeders realized financial 

 profit after allowing prevailing market prices for roughage and grain 

 fed/ 



The unfavorable market conditions for finished cattle during 

 the spring of 1914 materially reduced the returns from cattle in the 

 feed lots of Pennsylvania. As a consequence of these conditions 

 the financial results obtained during- the past year are not normal. 

 While the financial returns show a deficit this year, it must be re- 

 membered that last year the profits from cattle feeding were con- 

 siderably greater than the losses this year. It should also be 

 noted that in the experiment of this year a higher price has been 

 allowed for the farm feeds than a year ago. 



Objects. 



The objects of this experiment were: First, to secure more 

 information concerning the value of corn silage as a roughage for 

 fattening cattle ; Second, to determine the difference in the cost of 

 feeding cattle by the common Pennsylvania method and that 

 adopted by the Experiment Station ; Third, to determine the value 

 of alfalfa, as a source of protein, in a ration fof fattening cattle, as 

 compared with cottonseed meal; Fourth, to determine whether a 

 ration containing alfalfa hay requires additional protein from some 



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