Calculation of Standard Rations 289 



2.11 11.98 .68 14.77 1:6.4 



This ration is still below the standard in quantity, 

 but as the relation of the nutrients is approximately 

 what is called for, it is only necessary to increase the 

 quantities of each component about one -fifteenth in 

 order to furnish the animal sixleen pounds of digestible 

 organic matter. It is, however, a good ration for cows 

 of the smaller breeds weighing from 800 to 900 pounds. 



There are several points to be considered in this 

 connection. First of all, the standard rations are the 

 quantities to be fed per day and per 1,000 pounds live 

 weight. This is ordinarily taken to mean that if a 

 1,000 -pound cow requires 16 pounds of digestible 

 nutrients an 800 -pound cow should be supplied with 

 only four -fifths as much, or 12.8 pounds, or that 

 a 1,200 -pound horse needs 50 per cent more food 

 than one weighing 800 pounds. Unfortunately this 

 simple mathematical way of calculating rations does 

 not meet the plain requirements of practice. The needs 

 of a producing or working animal are not directly pro- 

 portional to its size, although it is more nearly so with 

 working animals than with those fed for production. 

 It is certain that an exact adjustment of a ration to the 



