The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1900-01-03
FIGURES FOR
THE FARMER.
Selection and Preparation of
Feeding Stuffs Controlled
by Many Factors.
HOW TO GET BEST RESULTS.

culations have been made OF the amounts
of digestible protein, fat and carbohy-
drates contained in 100 pounds each of a
large number of more commonly used
feeding stufis. As has been fully tx
planned above, they are derived from
averages OF composition and OF digestibil-
ity, both of which are subject to con-
siderable variation. Iu calculating them
American analyses and digestion coeffi-
clients found in American experiments
were used as far as possible They are
the figures which the farmer has to con-
suit to find the food value OF material
in selecting his feeding stuffs or baking
up ration.
The last column in the above table,
headed "fuel value" indicates the heat
and energy power Of the food. II will
be remembered that one OF the primary
functions OF the food is to produce heat
for the body and energy for work. The
value of food for this purpose is meas
ured in cheat units" or "calories," and is
calculated from the nutrients digested
Thus the fuel value of one pound Of di-
gestible fat is estimated to be about 1 ,220
calories, and of one pound Of digestible
protein or carbohydrates about $50 cal
cries. The total fuel value of a feeding
stuff is found by using these factors
The meaning of the figures in the
above table is that in 100 pounds OF
green corn fodder containing an average
amount. of dry matter COZ pounds) there
are contained appro ximately 10 pounds
Of digestible protein materials contain
ing nitrogen), 1908 pounds of digettble
carbohydrates (starch, sugar, fiber, etc J,
and 037 pounds Of digestible fat; and
that these materials. when burned in the
body, will yield 25,076 calories OF heat,
furnishing energy for work and main
tanning the temperature of the body.
Feeding Standards for Different Kinds Of Ami
mails.
II will be remembered that the PR
mary functions of food are to repair the
waste OF the body, to promote growth in
immature animals, and to furnish heat
and energy. And for these purposes
only the digestible portion of the food is
to be taken into account. The amount
Of digestible protein, fat and carbohy-
drates in ration is an indication of its
fitness to fulfill these purposes. The
next question is, How much of these ma
terials does an animal require, and in
what proportion should they be eiven2
This differs with the purpose tor which
the animal is kept, whether it is grow
ing, being fattened, used for work or
making milk. An OK standing in the
stall requires less food nutrients than
one which is worked hard every day.
That is, in drawing heavy loads the ami
NAL breaks down a certain amount Of
muscular tissue, which must be replaced
by protein in the food, and it uses en-
ergy or force, which is also furnished by
the food nutrients. In standing in the
barn it still requires some protein, fat
and carbohydrates to perform the neces.
sary functions Of the body, as digestion,
TO maintain heat in winter, to grow a
new coat Of hair, etc. But il it is fed the
same ration as when working hard the
tendency is to get fat.
Selection Of Feeding Stuffs.
In selecting feeding stuffs for his stock
the farmer will naturally be governed by
the conditions Of the market. The cost
Of feeding stuffs is controlled by other
factors than the actual amounts of food
materials which they contain; indeed,
there often appears to be very little con.
nection between the two. Bearing in
mind that the protein is the most expen-
sive ingredient, the farmer can make his
selection with the aid of the tables
showing the digestible materials in 100
pounds. These will show him whether
wheat at 80 cents per bushe is a cheaper
feed than corn at 60 cents, and how glu-
ten meal at $23 per ton compares with
linseed meal at $27. In these COMPARE
sons only the protein and fuel value need
necessarily be considered. OF course, the
special adaptability and the reverse OF
some materials to different kinds OF ami
mails will be taken into account.
But another important consideration
where fertilizers or manures have to be
relied upon is the manurial value of
feeding stuff. This is shown by the nj
trogen in the protein and the phosphoric
acid and potash in the ash. Feeding
stuffs differ widely in this respect, wheat
bran and cotton.seed meal having a high
manurial value, while corn meal is rela-
lively low. The value of the manure is
largely determined by the character Of
the food given. If the manure is care
fully preserved, a large proportion of the
fertilizing constituents OF the food are re
covered aud go to enrich the land.
Preparation Of FOOd for Animals.
One point upon which there seems to