312 



PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



in case of fattening steers. It should be noted also that the 

 hog and fowl, although quite efficient in the utilization of 

 their rations, cannot use large quantities of roughage, while 

 the sheep and steer, although less efficient, can utihze large 

 quantities of roughage which, otherwise, would be wasted 

 ordinarily as far as its feeding value is concerned. Further- 

 more, hogs and poultry are quite susceptible to disease, 

 while sheep are subject to the ravages of dogs. 



The type and grade of animals have considerable in- 

 fluence upon the efficiency of the ration. One does not 

 select cows of pronounced beef type for the production of 

 dairy products, as they do not convert their feed into milk 

 as efficiently as do cows of the dairy type. On the other 

 hand, one does not select steers of dairy conformation for 

 fattening. Mumford at the Illinois Station ^ compared 

 feeder steers of different types and market grades with the 

 following results : 



These results indicate, other things being equal, that the 

 better grades of animals are more efficient than the poorer 

 grades. 



» Bui. 90. 



