FEEDING LIVE-STOCK 



TO secure the best results from feeds, the farmer should know what 

 substances are necessary to promote growth and how to propor- 

 tion them. He should also know the nutrient value of his feeds. 

 The laws governing growth are very exacting. Haphazard feeding is 

 not profitable, but if the animal is fed scientifically, or in other words, 

 given a properly balanced ration, the results are usually very satis- 

 factory. 



Feed should contain protein, carbohydrates and fats. 



Protein 



Protein is a name given to the nitrogenous compounds of a plant. 

 It forms the muscles, tendons, hgaments, hide, blood, nerves, all inter- 

 nal organs and a part of the organic portion of the bones. Protein 

 is absolutely necessary to growth and if not provided in the right 

 quantities the growth is impaired. If food contains no protein or 

 protein alone is given, the animal will soon starve. 



Carbohydrates 



Carbohydrates are composed of starch, sugar, gums and fibers of 

 all nutrients free of nitrogen. Carbohydrates are the source of heat 

 and muscular energy, and fat. 



Fats 



In some cases the plant stores carbon in the form of fat. Vege- 

 table fats are formed from the same elements that exist in the carbo- 

 hydrates, hence, when carbohydrates are mentioned, the fat content 

 is considered. Carbohydrates alone will not sustain life for any 

 great length of time. 



A Balanced Ration 



A balanced ration is a feed or combination of feeds containing 

 protein, carbohydrates and fat in such proportions and amounts as 

 are necessary to furnish nourishment which will produce a healthy 

 growth and production to the greatest desirable degree. 



An Unbalanced Ration 



An unbalanced or one-sided ration is one containing too much or 

 too little of one or the other of the compounds necessary to promote a 

 maximum growth and production. 



Examples 



A ration containing one part protein and four parts or less of carbo- 

 hydrates would be called a narrow or unbalanced ration, and one 

 containing one part protein and seven or more parts of carbohydrates 



