The Dermott news., 1915-12-09
II.-TRE BALANCED RATION.
By Il. E. Dyoraehek. Professor Of Ami
 nal Husbandry. l. of A

mal Husbandry. l. 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 a reality and not complicated inn 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 1t is a good subject for discussion, but do not adopt it
 From the preceding article II 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 k ma. ture and k being fattened. carbohy- drates and fats should be supplied llbefally. as they form fats more eco uomically thau protein If. then. the feeder sGpphes sufficient amounts Of protejn.- carbohydrates and fats to ad cqaat"Iy meet the needs ot the ami ma trd under these varyinc eondi. tons ot growth. fattyutng work. etc. he Fs feeding balanced ration
 The balanced iat5on k the result of experimental Wefk where annals Were fed known amounts Of the va. rIous nutrient, and th,lf development noted | was established that II a growing animal wero Co develop nor. maily lt must he fed no, less than a certain minimum amount each of pro tein. cafbohN dr5tc~. and fats This minimum ts known as thr feeding standard for growing animals of the same class h. than. We feed animals foods which contain nutrients sutii- Cient to satisfy this standard. We should be and are feeding balanced ration We have feeding standards which are adapted to all classes of live stock and for yariogH conditions of production
 The question is often asked wheth. er or not II Is necessary under all conditions To feed a balanced ration as Set forth by feeding standard There Is no question in my mind that there are conditions under which the feeding of q balanced ration would be impraCtirablc from an economical standpoint Our feeding standards are only approximate al 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. matte conditions. methods of curing. and other factors Variations must be made to suitathe individual needs of the animals fed and the feeder hum self must mak, these variations. Euid- cd by the results obtained Nothing ls more true in live stock feeding than the old German adaEe The eye of the master fatteus hls eattlc" 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 literally This extra supply of protein is not necessary. but 1t makes economical ration
 In figuring balanced ra1on th,re are many faeto's to be cons drre,l The mere meeting of the require. ments will not always give satIs- factory ration \ few of the more important factors will hc briefly treat. ed Feed selected should be such as will be relished by live stock Good results cannot he expected from feeds which are not eaten with 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 10 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 ue of feeding stuffs should always be taken into consideration The actual test of successful feeding operation is the profit made. If production is expensive, profit will be syhall al. ,hougk gains may be satisfactory.