FEED REQUIREMENTS 5 



as much hay and silage as he would eat, and the amount of grain re- 

 quired was determined by the feeder. The chief reliance in estimating 

 the amount of grain needed, was the odor given off from the feces. 

 A fetid smell indicates that more grain is taken than is needed. The 

 general conduct of the steers and their general appearance also were 

 noted. Eating the ration quickly, restlessness, and looking for more, 

 indicate a need of more feed; while slow feeding, failure to clean up 

 the feed box, and sluggishness in movement indicate that less feed is 

 needed. In a general way, it was soon found that increasing the 

 grain ration 0.2 of a pound every alternate Monday morning would 

 meet the requirements, though there were deviations from this general 

 rule with certain individuals, and with all at certain seasons of the 

 year. The variations in individual steers with respect to the amount 

 of grain required for normal growth or gain caused corresponding 

 variations in their weights at the end of the second year, ranging from 

 1,000 to 1,400 pounds with approximately the same degree of finish. 

 They were fed twice a day with strict regularity as to time and quan- 

 tity of feed given. They always had access to water and salt, and the 

 runway was bedded with mill shavings. Every Monday morning, each 

 steer was taken to platform scales to be weighed. For a time, they 

 were weighed on scales the platform of which was scarcely large 

 enough to hold them and was raised about ten inches above the level 

 of the floor. The deliberate way in which they approached the scales 

 and carefully and slowly mounted the platform and then stood still 

 to be weighed, was exceedingly interesting. 



The pasture steers of Group V, after returning from pasture, were 

 kept in an open yard without any shelter, from October 16 to June 9, 

 except while they were eating their rations ; while those of Group VII 

 were kept in a runway in the barn from November 1 to August 1 , 

 following. 



During the winter of 1907-08 a group of beef -bred calves was 

 chosen and designated as Group II, and the seven steers previously re- 

 ferred to were designated as Group I. Of Group II, ten were slaugh- 

 tered for analysis and the others in demonstration work for classes in 

 cutting and curing of meats. None of the animals was finished for 

 market. For this reason the feeding records for Group II are not in- 

 cluded in this bulletin. 



In May, 1908, a circular letter was sent to several breeders of beef 

 cattle, specifying the kind of calves wanted for a new group for carry- 

 ing on our investigation in beef-production. On May 31 there were 29 

 calves averaging 99.6 pounds in weight. All feed was weighed as fed 

 and composition of feed-stuffs determined by chemical analysis. Spe- 

 cial instructions were given not to feed more than each would eat up 

 clean and utilize. They received from 8 to 10 pounds of whole milk 



