FEEDING BEEF CATTLE IN MISSISSIPPI 



BY 



ARCHIBALD SMITH AND CHAS. I. BRAY. 



The aim of this experiment was primarily to demonstrate that 

 the feeding of beef cattle is profitable in this State and that good gains 

 can be made under proper conditions of feeding and management. 



The farmers of this State and throughout the cotton belt generally 

 are slow to realize the benefits of stock raising and cattle feeding and 

 that it is more remunerative than continuous cotton growing. 



It is the desire of those connected with this experiment to illus- 

 trate in a practical way that the feeding of beef cattle in Mississippi 

 is a safe and profitable investment and a much more economical way 

 of maintaining the fertility of the soil than by purchasing fertilizers. 



In addition to this we wished to ascertain whether cattle can be 

 fed to better advantage in a stable where they are kept warm and 

 dry and the manure is all saved or if the open yard system is preferable 

 and also to compare a mixed ration of hay, cornmeal, wheat bran, 

 cottonseed meal, and hulls with a ration of cottonseed meal and hulls 

 alone. 



It was the intention at first to compare a lot of scrub cattle of 

 poor type and breeding with good grade cattle of a beef type, but, 

 for reasons stated elsewhere, the experiment was not carried in full 

 as was originally contemplated. 



DESCRIPTION OF CATTLE. 



Twenty-five steers were used in this experiment, eleven of which 

 were grade Short-horns, thirteen grade Angus, and one grade Jersey. 

 They were all in good thrifty condition when purchased, and with 

 the exception of three steers, would be classed as medium feeders. 

 Their ages ranged from two to four years old. Five of these steers 

 were raised by the Experiment Station, three being two years old and 



