The Spectator., 1915-12-14

iA'St iof eaCh lebbOn IT the QueetIoh blank De returned for the preceding lesson. These question blanks will be sent with each bulletin. The addition al lessons on The Growing of Farm An'~si. ss, Wiil be- s1 salsnced ,s. R1siEn, nairr Cow. D Growing and Feeding Beef Cattle. t) Hog Raising, U0 Growing Horses and Mules, CD Sheep and Goat Raising. O Stock Farm Management
 iI.-ThE BALANCED RATION.
 By H. E. Dvorachek, Professor of Ami
 maj Husbandry, U. of A.
 The writing of this article is un- view of bringing out the facts which 60 ts show that the balanced ration is reality and not complicated inn aStnary scientific standard which is beyond the comprehension of all but the college professor. It is fact that a large proportion of practical feed CTS feel that it Is good subject for discussion. but do not adopt 1t.
 From the preceding article 1t was learned that muscle and protein tis-
 
 substances in plant and animal foods Neat. fat and energy come from car bohydratss and fats. The demand for those compounds vaNes with the Assds sf 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 turs and is being fattsnsd, carbohy- drates and fats should be supplied liberally, as they form fats more eco nonically than protein. N, then, the feeder supplies sufficient amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fats to ad- eQuately meet the needs of the ani- nal fed under these varying condi- 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 rious nutrients and their development noted. It was established that if a growing animal were to develop nor mally it must be fed not less than a certain miniroum amount each of pro tein. carbohydrates. and fats. This minimum is known as the feeding standard for growing animals of the same class. If. then. we feed animals foods which contain nutrients sufi- 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 a balanced ration would be impracticable from an economical standpoint. Our feeding standards are only approximate al best. and should be looked upon as a 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 10 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 adaxe. The eye of the master fa&sens his cattle" How ever, we caa say that the minimum of protein must at least be satisfied. fed. making the rsfion very narrow, but still economical This condition will always arise whore such feeds as alfalfa and cotton seed meal are cheap and fed lib<rally. This extra supply of protein is not necessary, but It makes economical ration.
 In figuring a balanced ra ion there are many factors 70 be considered. The mere meeting of the require ments will not always give a 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. uutriment they con tain. A ration should have enough rnuyhs ga to yivn. iS .ueR o,nu, k..,L A..