started. The results so far fur- 

 ther emphasize the low production 

 of range beef cattle in this area. 

 Average calf crops for all herds 

 were 52. percent in 1952 and 51.0 

 percent in 1953. The highest calf 

 crop was about 62. percent and 

 the lowest was 44. 4 percent. 



Even though the cattle 

 owners provided a fairly high level 

 of supplemental feed during winter, 

 they have not been able to increase 

 calf crops. The cost of winter 

 feeding averaged $9. 09 in 1951-52, 

 $11. 38 in 1952-53, and $8. 41 in 

 1953-54. The feeding seasons 

 lasted from 100 to 130 days and 

 averaged 115 days, mostly in 

 December, January, February, and 

 early March. 



The owners fed distinctly 

 different rations and costs varied 

 between herds, but no system has 

 proved superior to the others so 

 far. It seems evident that supple- 

 mental feeding or better forage is 

 needed during late summer, fall, 

 and winter, and that the ration 

 should be "tailor made" to supply 

 the forage deficiencies of each 

 season. However, no amount of feeding will be effective or profitable 

 unless the cattle are well managed in other respects- -mainly breeding 

 practices, culling, grade improvement, and control of diseases, insects, 

 and parasites. 



Figure 19. - -Harvesting a grass 

 plot in a study of the productivity 

 of Louisiana's forest ranges. In 

 the 3 years after the hardwoods 

 in the background were deadened, 

 grass production doubled and the 

 growth of pine seedlings increased 

 markedly. (Photo by Louisiana 

 Forestry Commission) 



Management of Forage on Forest Range 



The studies discussed here were established to determine and de- 

 scribe the physical, chemical, nutritional, and ecological qualities of 

 forage on the cutover forest lands (fig. 19)° This information is needed 

 for proper management of forest ranges, and it now appears basic to the 

 development of effective supplemental feeds for range cattle. 



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