SUGAR BEETS FOR FATTENING STEERS 



PART II. 

 SUGAR BEETS FOR FATTENING STEERS. 



The steers used in the experiment, described in Part I, were fed 

 during each winter with a view to finding the value of sugar beets 

 in replacing part of the corn used with the customary corn and al- 

 falfa ration in Colorado. European and Canadian feeders regard roots 

 highly as an aid in finishing cattle, but in America it has been dif- 

 ficult to popularize their use. Many inquiries have come to this 

 Station, however, as to the value of sugar beets for stock feed, and 

 in conversation with feeders, I find that many are firmly convinced 

 that sugar beets possess a feeding value of from $5.00 to $10.00 per 

 ton. Results of experiments conducted in other states indicate a 

 much lower value than this for feeding, and the following experi- 

 ments were conducted with a view of ascertaining the true value 

 of sugar beets for feeding under Colorado conditions. The results 

 obtained throw considerable light upon this question. 



EXPERIMENT i 



In this trial of 16 weeks, Lot I was fed six pounds of corn and 

 30 pounds of sugar beets per head each day, while Lot 2 was fed 12 

 pounds of corn. This meant replacing half the corn with sugar beets 

 in the proportion of 5 pounds of sugar beets to one pound of corn. 

 The steers were yearlings. 



FEED, GAIN, AND COST OF GAIN 



* At fif.-t 18 head, after 3rd week, 20 nead. 

 **At first 17 head, after 3rd week, 20 head 



Note Corn at $1.00 per cwt., Beets at $5.00 per ton, Alfalfa Hay at $5.00 per ton. 



The steers fed the sugar beets made somewhat better gains than 

 the others, averaging 23 pounds heavier at the close. By inspection 

 of the columns showing feed required for 100 pounds gain, we find 

 that 1108 pounds of sugar beets replaced 247 pounds of corn and 79 

 pounds of alfalfa hay; or 4.5 pounds of sugar beets replaced i pound 

 of corn and .32 pounds of hay in the production of 100 pounds gain 

 in live weight. 



Figuring corn at i cent per pound, sugar beets at $5.00 per ton, 

 and hay at $5.00 per ton, the sugar beet ration cost $6.33 for every 

 hundred pounds gain produced, while the corn ration cost $6.23. 

 These results indicate that if corn costs more, or sugar beets less 

 than these prices, it will pay to substitute sugar beets for half of 

 the corn ration. 



