March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 7 



Soy-bean Hay Low in Protein 



The small amount of digestible ciiide protein in soybean hay is one 

 of the surprising finds in the study of forage crops as sources of pro- 

 tein and energy for dair>' cows. This cmde protein varied from 9.04 

 per cent in the mixed crop of several small plots to nearly 20 per cent 

 in the harvest from specially treated soil. 



Despite this fact soybean hay may be considered a valuable rough- 

 age for milk production, for its protein is well utilized and it supplies 

 a liberal amount of energy, ranking in this respect with early cut 

 timothy and second-cutting alfalfa. Even for moderate milk produc- 

 tion, however, it should be supplemented with more protein when its 

 own supply is as limited as the poor samples in this study revealed. 

 As a source of protein it proved to be only one-half as valuable as 

 alfalfa and was exceeded by early cut timothy hay. 



When cows producing from 25 to 30 pounds of milk were fed al- 

 falfa only its digestible protein was sufficient to supply their demand. 

 It failed to supply enough energy with the result that the animals 

 lost some weight. Had the energy been sufficient, the cows might 

 have produced more milk. Due to its high protein content, however, 

 alfalfa is undoubtedly the most valuable roughage for cows in pro- 

 duction. 



This study was a part of the nutrition investigations conducted by 

 E. G. Ritzman in cooperation with F. G. Benedict, director of the 

 Nutrition Laboratoiy of the Carnegie Institute of Washington. {Pur- 

 nell Fund) 



Horse Needs More Energy Feed in Winter 



For mere existence the horse requires more energy-producing feed 

 in February and less in October as compared with the month of May. 

 This was shown in three metabolism experiments by E. G. Ritzman 

 and F. G. Benedict during the year to determine the seasonal varia- 

 tions in the requirements of the horse. 



In terms of heat production per 500 kilograms weight and per square 

 meter of surface area, the results at 84 and 108 hours after feeding 

 were as follows: 



For 500 kilograms weight — 9,000 calories in October, 9,900 in Febm- 

 ary, and 9,450 in May. 



Per square meter surface area — 1,752 calories in October, 1,974 in 

 February, and 1,884 in May. (Adams Fund) 



Sheep Breeding May Be Simplified 



A method tentatively proposed for predicting results of sheep mat- 

 ings may simplify future sheep breeding aimed at a new strain highly 

 IH-oductive in wool and mutton, equipped with four functional nipples, 

 and bearing largely twins. Considerable progress has already been 

 made, as reported in Technical Bulletin 53. The work is in charge 

 of E. G. Ritzman. (Adams Fund) 



