Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-05


of gain is out of proportion to that
obtained from feeding the meal and hulls
In the proportion Of one to five or six.
II was also observed that when less than
two and a half pounds Of hulls were
fed 10 a pound of cotton seed meal that
the appetite of the animals was consid-
cradle disturbed. This would natural
liz be anticipated for cattle often suffer
from indigestion when fed for long
periods of time on corn and other by
products. yet corn contains less than
one-fourth as much digestible protein
as high-grade cotton seed meal. and ami
mails would seldom be fed as much pro-
tein in an ad libitum ration of corn as
they would secure in from seven to eight
pounds of cotton seed meal. AS gen.
eral thing, these tests and others which
have come under the observation of the
writer lead to the conclusion that prob
ably the most economical combination
for the feeder Of beef cattle to use is
one pound of cotton seed meal to five
hounds of hulls, and as the price of
meal continues to rise, this will be
more economical plan than the use of
a larger proportion of meal and less
proportion Of hulls.
To those farmers who may be so sit
uated that they can not use hulls to the
best advantage or where the supply is
limited. other forms of roughness can
be recommended for use in combination
with cotton seed meal for the produc-
ton of beef along economic lines. First,
corn slower and hay may be used, but
hay will be too expensive for general use
as the sole roughness in most localities.
In any section where corn and sorghum
grow to advantage and a silo is erect
ed, this combination will furnish choice
roughness for combining with meal, meal
and hulls. meal and slower or leguminous
hays. The silage should be of good quail
ity and should be fed at the rate of
twenty-five to forty pounds, depending
on the size and age of the animals to
be finished. AS a basis of a ration for
the production Of beef, there is nothing
available in the south which will prove
so efficient or cheap as cotton seed meal.
Combining IL in correct proportions with
a suitable roughness will enable our
farmers to feed cattle for periods of
from $50 to $50 days with thorough sat
isfaction as to economy and rate of
gain in live weight and without in any
way affecting the health of the ami
mails.
RATIONS FOR SPRING FINISHED
STEERS.
B. n. B.. Leesburg. Va, writes: What
ration should we use 10 finish for next May
or June market thirteen 950-Ib. steersf We
have wheat straw. corn fodder, corn, and
hay composed Of three-quarters alfalfa and
One-quarter sorghum. Corn can be shelled
or ground to corn and cob meal.
When one desires to finish $50 pound
steers for market by May or June it will
be necessary to push them vigorously
from this date forward. If these steer $
are OF good quality there is no reason
why you should not be able to put on
gain OF to 1-2 pounds per head per
day, thereby turning them off at weights
ranging between 200 and 1900 pounds.
They should sell to very good advantage
at this weight If properly finished.
The best way to utilize the coarse
roughage which you have on hand is as
follows: Run through a cutting box,
moistea the amount to be fed the next
day with water containing some salt ami
mix thoroughly and allow to stand in a
heap to soften. In the morning put n
suitable ration in the manger and scat
ter over IL and mix through il with a
fork a mixture consisting OF two-thirds
cotton seed meal, and one-third corn and
cob meal. We would figure on feeding