150 FEEDS AND FEEDING, ABRIDGED 



Bone meal. — When rations lack calcium and phosphorus, these vital 

 mineral nutrients may be furnished in the form of bone meal, also 

 called ground bone. Ground rock phosphate is usually a cheaper 

 and probably as effective a mineral supplement. Bone meal is used 

 chiefly for pigs and poultry. 



III. Sugar Factory By-Products. Other Feeds 



In making beet sugar the beets are first washed and then cut into 

 v-shaped strips. Next the juice is extracted, leaving the by-product 

 known as wet beet pulp. The juice is then purified and evaporated 

 until the sugar crystallizes. Finally, the grains of sugar are sepa- 

 rated from the residual molasses by centrifugal force. 



Wet beet pulp. — This watery feed which contains only about 10 

 per ct. of solids spoils rapidly on exposure to the air, and is therefore 

 usually fed as soured or ensiled pulp. It may be ensiled in an ordi- 

 nary silo, in earthen pits, or in large heaps above the ground where 

 the decay of the outside layer protects the interior from the air. 

 Tho carrying only 1 to 2 per ct. of sugar, wet beet pulp contains con- 

 siderable of other easily digested carbohydrates. Like roots, it should 

 be fed with dry feeds. Most of the mineral matter is extracted from 

 the beets along with the sugar and the pulp is also low in protein. 

 Therefore, when heavy allowances of pulp are fed, one should see that 

 the animals are supplied with sufficient mineral matter and protein. 

 Fortunately, the pulp is commonly fed with legume hay, which is 

 high in both protein and mineral matter. 



Thousands of cattle and tens of thousands of sheep are annually 

 fattened near the western beet-sugar factories on wet, soured, beet 

 pulp, fed with alfalfa hay and a limited allowance of grain. The 

 wet pulp is also excellent for dairy cows, producing good-flavored 

 milk when not fed in excess. It may also be fed to idle horses. 



Dried beet pulp. — Many beet-sugar factories are now equipped 

 with. machinery for drying the pulp. Dried beet pulp, which contains 

 about 60 per ct. nitrogen-free extract, is worth nearly as much as corn 

 or barley for dairy cows, beef cattle, or sheep. Since it is low in pro- 

 tein it should be fed, like corn, with protein-rich feeds. 



Because dried beet pulp absorbs a great deal of water, it is advis- 

 able to moisten the dried pulp with 2 to 3 times its weight of water 

 before feeding, when large amounts are used. Sometimes the mois- 

 tened pulp is fed as a substitute for corn silage to dairy cows, tho 

 usually the latter is more economical. Dried beet pulp is excellent 

 for dairy cows on official test which are receiving a heavy concentrate 

 allowance, as it is a bulky feed and also has a- slightly laxative effect. 



