EFFECT OF WINTER RATIONS ON PASTURE GAINS OF STEERS. 5 
METHOD OF FEEDING AND HANDLING THE STEERS. 
In the fall before starting the steers on winter feed they were 
divided into lots of 10 each. In making this division, care was taken 
_ to have the lots as nearly uniform as possible in quality, breeding, 
size, and condition. ‘The different lots were given the same amount 
of space in an open barn and were kept under cover all winter. Water 
was supplied in the stalis at all times and salt was constantly avail- 
able. The steers were fed twice a day. 
The feed, both concentrates and roughage, was carefully weighed at 
each feeding. The steers were weighed at the beginning and at the 
end of the winter feeding period, the weights being taken in each case 
three days in succession and averages taken for their initial and 
final weights. ‘They were also weighed once every 28 days, in the 
morning after feeding. Neck straps and disks or ear tags with numbers 
on them were used, so that ready identification of each individual 
could be made and records accurately kept. 
In the spring of each year, as soon as the grass was good enough, 
which was usually about April 25, the steers from all the lots were 
turned into the same pasture with no additional feed. Weights were 
taken once every 28 days during the first summer. Afterwards the 
practice was discontmued on account of the loss incident to driving 
such heavy steers the long distance from the pastures to the scales. 
During the second summer they were weighed only on the 62d day 
and during the third summer only on the 44th day. 
QUANTITY OF FEED CONSUMED. 
Table 3 shows the total amount of different feeds eaten in the va- 
rious lots and the average daily ration per steer in each lot during 
each of the three winters. All lots except Lot 2 were fed to make 
a small gain in weight. Lot 1 failed to gain in weight in the winter 
of 1921-22 on account of the poor quality of the mixed hay. They 
would not eat enough of 1t to maintain their weight. Lot 2 was fed 
to lose shghtly in weight. This object was not attained the first year. 
The quantities of feed consumed daily were practically the same 
throughout the winter periods. Lot 3 was given practically as much 
silage as the steers would clean up. 
TABLE 3.—Average total and daily rations per steer during the three winters. 
Total feed per steer. Daily feed per steer. 
Winter feed. ee eae ese ra ss 
1920-21 | 1921-22 |Average.] 1919-20 | 1920-21 | 1921-22 | Average. 
Lot 1: .| Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds.) Pounds. 
Mirxe danas mee a 2, 403 1, 860 2, 268 20. 0 19.9 15. 0 18.3 
IBlamCOnM = see bocce oe 242 245 247 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 
Lot 2: 
Cormisilspeseascssne- . 6s 3, 490 3, 487 3, 588 30. 0 28.8 28. 1 28.9 
Lot 3: 
c Wonmisiliige-- 42-250. <2 4, 840 4,478 4,799 40.0 40.0 36. 1 38. 7 
ot 4: 
Wonmlsilaces. osc. o.5c20.< 3, 490 3,683 3,661 30. 0 28.8 29.7 29.5 
Cottonseed meal...-.....- 181 184 185 15 115 Tes) 15.5 
Lot 5: 
Conmsilageeee.as2.5. 225. - 3, 025 3, 069 3,076 25.0 25. 0 24.7 24.8 
Wan Gab. StEAWe o.oo 2. 698 736 725 5.8 5.8 5.9 5.8 
Cottonseed meal...-...-.-- 121 123 124 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 
Lot 6: 
Gornisilncesss=2 5.52.5 2s. 3,025 3, 069 3,073 25. 0 25. 0 24.7 24.8 
968 | 749 911 8.0 8.0 6.0 7683 
Mie duh aye te cen ascn see 
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