4 BULLETIN 1431, U. S, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
steers were fed twice a day, and the feed, both concentrates and 
roughage, was carefully weighed at each feeding. Water was sup- 
plied in the barn at all times and salt was constantly available. 
The steers were weighed individually three days in succession at 
the beginning and at the end of the winter feeding period, and 
averages taken for their initial and final weights. They were also 
weighed once every 28 days, in the morning after feeding. Num- 
bered ear tags were used, so that ready identification of each indi- 
vidual 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 or similar pastures with no additional feed.. 
Weights were taken once every 28 days during the first two summers. 
During the last summer, weights were taken only once, July 22, 
before the final weight on September 10, when they were marketed. 
"One steer was struck by lightning on June 6, 1925, this beirg the 
only animal lost in the three years. 
The outline in Table 1 shows how the steers were fed each winter 
until they were fattened on grass as 3-year-olds. Only the feeds to 
be compared are put into the diagram. Corn silage and wheat straw 
were fed to every lot each winter, except Lot III in the first winter, 
which received mixed hay and a grain mixture. 
Table 1. — Outline of three years' winter feeding 
1922-23 
1923-24 
1924-25 
Lot 
Ration 
Lot 
Ration 
Lot 
Ration 
I 
(30 calves.) 
Clover hay. 
Corn silage. 
Wheat straw. 
A 
(30 yearlings. 
10 each from 
Lots I, II, end 
III of preced- 
ing winter.) 
Clover hay. 
Corn silage. 
Wheat straw. 
(90 head 2-year- 
olds. Lots A, 
B, and C of 
preceding win- 
ter combined.) 
Cottonseed 
meal. 
Corn silage. 
Wheat straw. 
II 
(30 calves.) 
Cottonseed 
meal. 
Corn silage. 
Wheat straw. 
B 
(Same as A.) 
Cottonseed 
meal. 
Corn silage. 
Wheat.straw. 
Ill 
(30 calves.) 
Mixed hay. 
Grain mixture. 1 
c 
(Same as A.) 
Mixed hay. 
Corn silage. 
Wheat straw. 
i Consisted of 3 parts, by weight, of corn, 1 of bran, and 1 of linseed meal. 
QUANTITY OF FEED CONSUMED AND GAINS MADE 
Table 2 shows the total quan ity of the different feeds consumed 
by the various lots and the average daily ration per steer in each lot 
during each of the three winters. All lots were fed to gain in weight 
during the winter. 
