FEEDING EXPERIMENTS WITH BEEF CATTLE. 



35 



TABLE 3 SHOWING THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF FEEDS USED IN THE DAILY RATION 

 PER STEER DURING THE EXPERIMENT. 



The first year each steer in lot 2 was fed in addition to the regular 

 ration 405 pounds of corn stover and in lot 3, 467.5 pounds of corn 

 silage during the first twenty-five days of the experiment. This was done 

 to overcome any detrimental effect in changing from succulent feeds 

 to dry feeds or vice versa. This practice is not absolutely necessary, but 

 to safeguard against getting the digestive system out of order it is not 

 an unwise practice. 



Preliminary Feeding. 



Both years each of the three lots of cattle was given a short prelimi- 

 nary feeding period so that the experimental feeding did not start with 

 the initial feeding period. The first year fourteen days were allowed for 

 the steers to regain their normal condition. In the second year, however, 

 only four days were allowed which was just sufficient for the steers to 

 regain their original weight. During the preliminary period the steers 

 were fed principally on roughages, such as corn stover, oat hay and a 

 small amount of silage. A very small amount of corn and wheat bran 

 was fed the first year. This was done principally to improve the appe- 

 tite and give each lot of cattle the same chance when the experimental 

 rations were started. 



The cost of the preliminary feeding is not included in the experimental 

 data showing the difference in the economy of each roughage. The finan- 

 cial statements are based on the final feeding period, and do not include 

 the cost of the preliminary feeding. 



Table 4 gives a summary of the important factors involved in the 

 experiments during the two years. 



