AtPAlyPA HAY IfOR FATTENING STBERS 53 



feed necessary for the formation of blood and lean 

 meat. Alfalfa hay is rich in protein and deficient in 

 starch. Either corn or Kafir-corn can be combined with 

 alfalfa hay in such proportions as to make an ideal 

 fattening ration. 



There are two systems of feeding alfalfa hay with 

 corn to fattening steers. In one system the steers are 

 fed all the corn they will eat, and then given sufficient 

 alfalfa hay to balance the corn. With this system 

 steers can be induced to eat large quantities of grain 

 and make large gains. George M. Hoffman, of I^ittle 

 River, Kansas, in feeding all the shelled corn and 

 alfalfa hay that his steers would eat, made a gain of 

 five pounds per day per steer for forty-seven days. Mr. 

 Hoffman is one of the extensive cattle-feeders of 

 Kansas and has been in the business for many years. 

 With alfalfa hay and corn he does not calculate on a 

 gain of less than three pounds, per steer per day with 

 choice steers. 



Another system in fattening steers with corn and 

 alfalfa hay is to feed the steers all the hay they will 

 eat and a limited quantity of corn. This system is 

 especially valuable when the corn crop is short and 

 corn is high. Many feeders report that they have 

 full-fed steers and put them on the market in a well- 

 finished condition, making average gains with one- 

 half the usual quantity of com. 



Alfalfa hay is a laxative, and if steers or any other 

 animals are given all they will eat of it at first serious 

 scouring immediately follows. It pays to get steers on 

 to a full feed of alfalfa hay gradually, taking ten days 

 to two weeks. Professor Cottrell says the best way is 

 to fill the racks with prairie or timothy hay and allow 



