342 The Feeding of Animals 



standpoint of the demands for growth, that in feeding 

 fairly mature animals for beef production a ration may 

 be efficient with a wide nutritive ratio, much wider than 

 what is recommended in the German standards. 



It is recognized, though, that we cannot decide upon 

 a ration merely upon the basis of the raw materials 

 that are needed for constructive purposes. The influ- 

 ence of a particular feed or of a variety of feeds upon 

 the appetite and upon what we speak of as general 

 condition, as well as upon the quality of the product, 

 and the necessity of avoiding so large a preponderance 

 of carbohydrates as to cause a possible depression of 

 digestibility are all points which must be considered 

 in determining the value of a ration. We should re- 

 member also that the stimulating effect of the food 

 upon the vital functions is a factor in successful feed- 

 ing. So, after all, we must appeal to experience, scien- 

 tific and practical, for information as to what rations 

 are efficient for fattening purposes. 



The German standard rations for fattening bovines 

 which are at present recommended call for 18 to 18.4 

 Ibs. of digestible organic matter daily for each 1,000 

 Ibs. of live weight, with a ratio of 1:5.4 to 1:6.5, 

 requiring from 2.5 to 3 Ibs. of digestible protein. If 

 protein was regarded as taking a prominent part in 

 fat -building and in. sustaining muscular activity, as 

 was once held, this standard might seem rational, but 

 in view of more recent scientific conclusions concern- 

 ing the functions of nutrients it is not easy to under- 

 stand why a fattening steer requires more protein than 

 a milch cow or even as much. 



