38 BULLETIN 631, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The carcasses of the calves of lot 1 did not show as much fat or 

 finish as those of lots 2 and 3. No difference could be seen between 

 the carcasses of lots 2 and 3, as they were well finished. By the farm 

 weights the calves of lots 1, 2, and 3 dressed out 49.3, 53.7, and 53.1 

 per cent, respectively. By the market weights the calves of lot 1 

 dressed out 54.4 per cent ; those of lot 2, 56 per cent ; and the calves 

 of lot 3, 55.9 per cent of their live weight. 



SUMMARY STATEMENT. 



1. The objects of this test were (1) to see if the feeding of heavy 

 grain rations to calves until they were well finished would be profit- 

 able; (2) to make a comparative study of the value of cottonseed 

 meal alone, a combination of cottonseed meal and shelled corn, and 

 shelled corn alone, to be fed with a ration of silage with a small 

 allowance of alfalfa hay; and (3) to determine approximately how 

 much manure can be saved by feeding calves on a concrete floor. 



2. The calves were good grade calves having from two to three 

 crosses of beef blood on original scrub stock. They were from 6 to 

 8 months of age and weighed 271, 265, and 280 pounds for lots 1, 2, 

 and 3, respectively, at weaning time, when the experiment began. 



3. When on full feed the calves were eating the following ration 

 per head per day : 



Pounds. 



Lot 1. — Cottonseed meal 5.0 



Corn silage 26.7 



Alfalfa hay 4.0 



Lot 2. — Cottonseed meal 2. 



Shelled corn 8.0 



Corn silage 18.6 



Alfalfa 4. 



Lot 3.— Shelled corn 12.0 



Corn silage 13.3 



Alfalfa 4. 



The calves that consumed a heavy grain ration consumed a smaller 

 grain ration and vice versa. 



4. The calves were fed for 156 days and during that entire time 

 made a daily gain of 1.74, 1.7, and 1.8 for lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 

 This is a good gain for calves for a long feeding period. 



5. The cost of making 100 pounds of gain for each of the three 

 lots was $8.17, $8.58, and $8.66, respectively. 



6. When no pork credit is allowed the calves of lots 2 and 3 the 

 average profit per head was: Lot 1, $10.48; lot 2, $8.57; and lot 3, 

 $8.68. It is estimated that the pork produced was worth about $3 

 per calf, which would make the corn feeding slightly more profitable 

 than feeding cottonseed meal alone. 



