The Little River news., 1915-12-29
Il.-THE BALANCED RATION.

1.-THE BALANCED RATION.
 By H. E. Dvorachek, Professor of Ami nal Husbandry, U. of A.
 The writing of this article is un- dertaken with the express purpose in view of bringing out the facts which go to show that the balanced ration is reality and not complicated i'm aginary scientific standard which is beyond the comprehension of all but the college professor. It is fact that large proportion of practical feed CTS feel that it is q good subject for discussion, but do not adopt it.
 From the preceding article it was learned that muscle and protein tis- sue in the body came from protein substances in plant and animal foods. Heat, fat and energy come from car bOhydrates and fats. The demand for these compounds varies with the needs of the body. When an animal is growing, and therefore building muscle, hide, animal matter in bone, etc., the demand would naturally be for protein if development is to take place normally. If the animal is ma ture and is being .fattened, carbohy- drates and fats should be supplied literally, as they form fats more eco. nomically than protein. If, then, the feeder supplies sufficient amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fats to ad- equately meet the needs of the ami nal fed under these varying condi- i tions of growth, fattening work. etc, he is feeding a balanced ration
 The balanced ration is the result of experimental work where animals were fed known amounts of the va. ricus nutrients and their development noted. It was established that If growing animal were to develop nor mally it must be fed not less than certain minimum amount each of pro- tein, carbohydrates, and fats. This +linimum is known as the feeding standard for growing animals of the same class. If, then, we feed ;iaimals foods which contain nutrients suffi- cient to satisfy this standard, we should be and are feeding a balanced ration. We have feeding standards which are adapted to all classes of live stock and for various conditions of production.
 The question is often asked wheth- CT or not it is necessary under all conditions to feed . balanced ration as set forth by feeding standard. There is no question in my mind that there are conditions under which the feeding of balanced ration would be jmpracticable from an economical standpoint. Our feeding standards are only approximate at best, and should be looked upon as guide rath. CT than as absolute requirements. The analyses of feeds are also aver
 ages since the composition of plants is affected by the character of the soil upon which they are grown, eli
 matic conditions, methods of curing, and other factors. Variations must be made to suit the individual needs of the animals fed, and the feeder him. self must make these variations, guid. ed by the results obtained Nothing is more true in live stock feeding than the old German adage, The eye of the master fattens his cattle" How ever, we can say that the minimum of protein must al least be satisfied, although an excess of protein may be fed, making the ration very narrow, but still economical. This condition will always arise where such feeds as alfalfa and cotton seed meal are cheap and fed liberally. This extra supply of protein is not necessary,
 but it makes economical ration.
 In figuring balanced ration there are roany factors to be considered. The mere meeting of the require
 ments will not always give satis factory ration. \ few of the more , important factors will be briefly treat ed. Feed selected should be such as will be relished by live stock Good results cannot be expected from feeds which are not eaten with a relish, no matter how much nutriment they con tain. A ration should have enough roughage to give it sufficient bulk to
 satisfy the appetite of the animal
 Furthermore, roughages are generally cheaper than concentrates The crops raised on the farms should be used as much as possible and livestock is the
 best means through which to market
 bulky farm crops which might other
 wise be wasted. Variety stimulates
 appetite and therefore increases con
 sumption, which should be accompa-
 nied by greater returns. Market val.
 ne of feeding stlsfrs should always be
 taken into consideration. The actual test of successful feeding operation b the profit made. If production is
 s4pensive. profit will be small, ~
 shough gains may bo satisfactory.