22 



BULLETIN 459, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The quantity of energy, of course, corresponds with that estimated 

 to be necessary, because the amounts of feed were fixed upon on that 

 basis. We observe, however, that the amount of digestible protein 

 in the ration is less than is estimated on page 16 to be needed by 

 beef cattle of this age. A ration like the above might produce fair 

 gains, but it probably, would fail to take full advantage of the ca- 

 pacity of such cattle for growth and the gain would most likely fall 

 below that which was anticipated. An increase in the protein could 

 be expected to make the ration more efficient. 



To make any marked change in the ration in this respect, it is 

 evident that we must introduce into it some feed much richer in pro- 

 tein than either of those composing it. On consulting the table it is 

 evident that what we need is one of the by-product feeds like gluten 

 feed or meal, the oil meals, etc., and also that only a small amount of 

 one of these will be needed to effect a marked change in the ration. 

 Thus, if we substitute 2 pounds of old-process linseed meal for 2 

 pounds of the corn-and-cob meal, the ration will foot up as follows: 



Kind and amount of feed. 



Total dry 

 matter. 



Digestible 

 protein. 



Net energy 

 value. 



Clover hay, 7J pounds 



Corn-and-cob meal, 13 pounds 



Old-process linseed meal, 2 pounds 



Total 



Pounds. 

 6.53 

 11.65 

 1.82 



Pounds. 

 0.37 



.74 

 .57 



20.00 



1.68 



Therms. 

 2.90 

 9.85 

 1.78 



14.53 



Thus at a comparatively small additional expense we are able to 

 improve the ration materially by adding the lacking protein, and 

 there is little doubt that the improved ration would produce a more 

 rapid gain and, under ordinary conditions, a more profitable one as 

 well, either by increasing the total gain or shortening the feeding 

 period. 



COMPUTING A RATION FROM GIVEN FEEDING STUFFS. 



There are available for a dairy herd field-cured corn forage 

 (including the ears), clover hay, corn meal, wheat bran, and gluten 

 feed. The table on pages 11-13 shows that these feeding stuffs, if of 

 good average quality, will furnish in 100 pounds: 



Feed. 



Total dry 



Digestible 



matter. 



protein. 



Pounds. 



Pounds. 



81.7 



2.3 



87.1 



4.9 



88.7 



6.4 



5>9.9 



10.8 



90.9 



28.1 



Net energy 

 value. 



Corn forage. 

 Clover hay . . 

 Corn meal. . 

 Wheat bran 

 Gluten meal 



Therms. 

 43.94 

 38.68 

 88.75 

 53.00 

 84.15 



