18 



Growing Feeder Steers in Western Nebraska 



TABLE 9. Gams made ~by calves fed a light grain ration and 

 forage during winter from December 3, 1907, to April 21, 

 1908. 



The grain ration was the same for all lots (Table 9). The 

 difference in the gains can be attributed only to the difference 

 in the forage rations. The steers fed a full ration of alfalfa 

 or half alfalfa gained from 2 to 3^ times as much during the 

 winter as those that did not have any alfalfa in their ration. 

 The lowest gain per calf was 39 Ibs. during the winter, or .28 Ib. 

 per day from priarie hay, and the highest gain 132 Ibs. during 

 the winter, or .94 Ib. per day from alfalfa. The forage rations 

 during the first winter ranked in value, as indicated by the 

 increasa in weight of calves, as follows: alfalfa, alfalfa and 

 cane, alfalfa and prairie hay, prairie hay and cane, cane, and 

 prairie hay. 



