36 



level gained 1.01 pounds per hay during the winter, while those on the high 

 level averaged 1. 29 pounds (the difference was not statistically significant). 

 When the gains for the winter period and the period on summer grazing on 

 irrigated pasture were averaged, the medium level average gain was 1. 46 

 pounds and the high level 1. 59 pounds per hay (table 13). The difference was 

 not statistically significant. 



On weaner calves, the effect of high nutritional levels of winter feeding is 

 insignificant when compared with medium levels. But there is a significant 

 difference between low levels on the one hand, and medium and high levels 

 on the other. Usually, a medium level of wintering calves is most desirable, 

 and an average winter rate of gain of 1 pound per day is a practical goal. 



Feeding trials at Gunnison, Colo. , conducted jointly by the Farm. Economics 

 Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, and the Gunnison Coim.ty 

 Feeding Research Corporation (a group of local ranchers who have contributed 

 cattle, time, and money to the research program), have thrown some light 

 on the substitution ratios of the feeds in question and their values within the 

 desirable rates of gain mentioned (table 14). 



There was no significant difference in the rate of gain as between heifers 

 fed cottonseed pellets and those fed superhay to supplement hay of poor quality. 

 The slight difference in results could easily be accounted for by inherent 

 differences between lots of heifers. Each lot ate almost identical amounts 

 of low -protein hay per day, 11.91 pounds for lot 2, and 11. 87 pounds for lot 

 3. The basic hay ration contained only 6. 5 percent crude protein. If the 

 rates of gain are the same and the basic intake of hay is the same, it must 

 be concluded that the effectiveness of the supplements fed will be the same 

 under both conditions. 



The supplement fed daily to lot 2 was 0. 5 pound of 41 percent cottonseed 

 pellets and the supplement fed to lot 3 was 1. 18 pounds of chopped 17. 4 per- 

 cent crude protein hay. The cottonseed pellets for the experiment were 

 bought for $88 a ton, which meant that the daily cost of the supplement fed 

 lot 2 was $0. 022 per animal. As 1.18 pounds of 17. 4 percent superhay in 

 feedlot 3 was as effective as the 0. 5 pound of 4. 1 percent cottonseed pellets 

 fed lot 2, the value of the superhay used must also be worth $0. 022. If this 

 is the case, then the value of 17. 4 percent crude protein hay is $37. 29 per 

 ton when 41 percent pellets sell for $88 per ton. 



The price of the pellets used in the feeding trial is above the average price 

 paid for pellets of like type in most years. Therefore, the calculated value 

 of the superhay is also above what it would be on the average. The average 

 price of 41 percent pellets is approximately $80 a ton, and if this is used as 



