The Beef Calf. 



15 



Protein is part of the feed which when eaten by the calf goes to 

 make lean meat, hair, and hide. Carbohydrates and fats, while dif- 

 ferent in character and value, are both used for the formation of 

 fat, and for this reason are spoken of or classed together as carbo- 

 hydrates. Those concentrates which are high in carbohydrates and 

 fats usually contain little protein. Mineral matter, used in the forma- 

 tion of bones, lean meat, and blood, is also a very essential part ot 

 feeds. A sufficient amount is usually present in most feeds, especially 

 if legume hays and a variety of concentrates are fed; so it is not 

 further considered. 



In many instances legume hay, such as clover, alfalfa, and lespe- 

 deza, which contain a large proportion of protein, are used to supply 

 a large part of the protein needed in the ration. Hays and roughages 

 in general, both dry and succulent, should also be used in a ration, for 

 the reason that they keep the animal's digestive system in a good, 

 healthy condition. In a general way, feeds, both concentrates and 

 roughages, are classified according to their protein and carbohydrate 

 value, as follows : 



Protein Feeds. 



CONCENTRATES. ' ROUGHAGES. 



Cottonseed meal. Alfalfa hay. 



Linseed-oil meal. Clover hay. 



Velvet beans. Lespedeza. 



Peanut meal. Velvet beans. 



Soy beans. Legume forage. 



Carbohydrate Feeds. 



CONCENTRATES. ROUGHAGES. 



Corn. Grass hays (timothy, .Tohnson grass, 



Oats. prairie, etc.). 



Barley. Straws (wheat, oat, etc.). 



Kafir. Corn or sorghum stover. 



Rye. Corn or sorghum silage. 



Milo. Roots. 



Feterita. Cottonseed hulls.* 



In making up a ration (feeds for one day) for the calf it is always 

 advisable to use at least one kind of feed containing a large amount 

 of protein and two or more containing carbohydrates, such as corn, 

 oats, or barley. When feeds from the two groups are used, both of 

 the important nutrients are provided. A ration which thus con- 

 tains the proper quantity of both protein and carbohydrates is called 

 " a balanced ration " and should always be fed when possible. 



FEEDING THE CALF TO WEANING TIME. 



The feeding of the calf from birth until it is weaned is a very 

 simple matter if its mother gives milk enough to nourish it properly. 

 The principal part of the calf's ration, therefore, may be cheaply 

 and safely provided by giving its mother the proper feeds for the 



