FEEDING AND CARE OF BEEF CATTLE 



TO obtain the best results from feeds in this department, skill and 

 judgment are required, not only in feeding, but in care and selec- 

 tion of breeds. While opinions differ regarding the care that should be 

 given cattle on full feed, there should be but one opinion regarding the 

 question of protection against bad storms and severely cold weather. 



While the natural heat of the body is sufficient to maintain a normal 

 temperature without drawing upon reserve fat during ordinary weather, 

 it is very certain that during extremely cold spells an extra amount of 

 fuel is required to maintain the heat of the body and that it is taken 

 from the reserve store of accumulated fat. At the same time, an abun- 

 dance of fresh air and a reasonable amount of exercise is necessary to 

 maintain a healthy digestion. It is just as reasonable to suppose that a 

 house unprotected during zero weather would require no more fuel to 

 maintain a comfortable temperature than one protected, as to suppose 

 that an animal would maintain its normal temperature when exposed to 

 zero weather or colder on the same amount of fuel as it would in comfort- 

 able quarters. 



Open Shed vs. Confinement 



Waters, of the Missouri Station, housed a bunch of dehorned fatten- 

 ing steers in comfortable, well-bedded quarters during the winter. They 

 were turned out for water at nine o'clock each morning, remaining in the 

 yard until four o'clock in the afternoon, except during stormy weather, 

 when they were out only long enough to drink. Another similar bunch 

 was fed in an open shed located in a small lot. The average returns for 

 four winters were: 



It is seen that the steers running in an open shed made greater gains 

 than those confined in a close barn. This is due to the fact that in the 

 open shed they were in a great measure protected from the cold and at 

 the same time given a reasonable amount of exercise, while in the closed 

 barn they did not receive a sufficient amount of fresh air nor enough 

 exercise to maintain active digestion. 



Box-Fed and Stall-Fed 



At the Ontario Station it was found that box-fed steers made larger 

 and cheaper gains than steers tied in stalls. 



The above demonstrates that even a limited amount of exercise is 

 beneficial. 



