Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-11-22
Rouphage In Feeding Cattle.

Professor Stevenson, OF the Pennsyl-
vania State College, as the result OF a
number of experiments that have
been carried on by the state for sever
al years past, makes some suggestions
as to the best methods OF feeding.
some OF which have long been recog-
nized by western feeders, and others
to which they need to give some at
tention.
AS an example of the first, we may
state that an open shed which pro-
tects cattle from wind and rain, when
we'll bedded, gives better results In
fattening cattle than the basement or
a barn. 1t has taken a long time to
convince Pennsylvania farmers OF this
fact. Even some western M TALL
to realize that the work OF digesting
even a peck of corn q day keeps a
steer comfortably warm even in the
coolest of weather. The process or
digestion Is a process of com ustion.
Hence a shed which protects cattle
from rain and cold winds, and open to
the south or east, is all that cattle
need. The basement barn, whether
east or west, is undesirable because
of lack of ventilation and sunlight.
Western farmers, however, has not
yet realized the value OF the second
suggestion that the most economical
ration for %fattening steers in PennSyl-
vania is composed largely OF roughage'
with a limited amount OF concentra-
tes. We have been feeding cattle en-
tirely too much of the concentrates.
English farmers fatten their steers
for market land claim they make bet
ter beef than ours, and 1t Is probably
quite as good) on straw, some corn
and concentrates In the form Of what
they call "cake," by which Is meant
different varieties Of meals, such as
cottonseed and linseed and other BY
products of factories.
We have fallen into our careless
habiCs through the cheapness OF corn
heretofore. When we could buy three
or four-year-old steers weighing LOO
to l,4OO pounds, and corn was % cents
a bushel or under, the farmer was JUS
titled in feeding heavy amounts OF
concentrates, when he had hogs 20
follow. 1t is no longer justifable, and
the farmer must learn how to fatten
his steers to a greater extent on
roughage. Fortunately the western
farmer has in silage perhaps the best
roughage that he can possibly get,
and In this Pennsylvania farmers agree
with him.
Another conclusion to which these
farmers have come will probably not
be accepted by western farmers, name
ly, that protection from cold is as un-
necessary when fattening cattle on
succulent feed as when dry feeds are
used. Succulent feed, like corn sill
age. is a summer ration; and we shall
need proof under western conditions
that cattle do not need better pro-
lection when fed on succulent feed
than when fed on dry feeds, such as
corn, corn fodder and hay.
There Is another conclusion to
which the Pennsylvanians have come,
which will accord with western ex-
perience, namely, that more profit Is
made with steers that we're in a thin
condition Of flesh during the previous
winter. Except when feeding for
baby beef, the ration Of the yearling
and two-year-old should be such as
will develop bone and muscle and
growth. The object OF fattening is
not merely to increase the weight. but
to make the weight gained by skillful
feeding more valuable by placing be-
tween the muscles a layer OF faI, or,
as 1t is called. interlarding. Hence
the steer In thin flesh but healthy
and vigorous, will yield a greater pro-
fit than the steer that has been kept
fat during the winter. We do not
mean such thinness of flesh as makes
q staring Goa and lessons the vigor of
the animal. A diet during the year
before that promotes vigorous health,
keen appetite and gradual gain will
make q steer that will give a larger
profit than one that has been kept
fat all the time.
The Pennsylvania station contends,
as the result Of seven years expert
msntation, that corn silage With two
pounds OF cottnpseed meal per steer
daily. when fed for two months and
then supplemented with q full grain
feed, is q more economical method Of
f%attening steers than where q full "a
ton OF grain Is added at the start of
the fattening period. Our readers
who are putting cattle on full feed
this winter should make a note of
this. 1t is In harmony with the ex-
periments In other states, and in
harmony with that settled principle
among feeders OF the older nations,
that q steer should be fattened as
largely as possible on roughage.
There Is no roughage In any part Of
the world that is better for this pur-
pose than good corn silage. 1t can
! not be used to the same extent In the
finishing period. The steer can not
hold enough Of 1t to do the work
| necessary to be done.