Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-17
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
BY DR.. ANDREW NJ SOULE

data under actual farm conditions on
fattening cattle in Georgia,
These cattle were fed period of
101 days from January 26, 1919, to
May s, 1919, inclusive.
Kind of Cattle Used
The cattle used in this demonstra-
ton were Texas raised and were
shipped to Thomas county about Oc-
tober Is. 1918. They were run in
bean fields until purchased by Mr..
Neel about November 28. for 10 IL
cents per pound. These cattle were
excessively thin since they had come
from the drought-stricken area of
Texas The 101 head averaged $50
pounds per head, but some were con-
siderably lighter than others. Mr..
Neel, in purchasing, took particular
pains to select those which had been
dehorned some little time previously
or which were naturally polled. 1t
was estimated that about half of
them showed Hereford breeding and
half were of Shorthorn breeding.
They were all high grade cattle.
These cattle were run in the bean
field up till the time they were put
into the lot for fattening January
25, 1919. AT this time, 20 of the
lightweight steers were replaced by
10 heavier native steers carrying
considerable more condition. This
made a total of 80 head carried
throughout the entire demonstration.
Their total initial weight at time
demonstration was started was Ga
400 pounds, or an average of 700
pounds per head. The initial price
charged per head was just the same
per pound as the purchase price as
it was figured that the lower quail
ty of the 10 head native cattle and
the excessive thinness of the Texas
cattle and the consequent, rapid gains
in the bean fields would not increase
the average per pound for which
they could have been purchased at
this time.
Feeds
The feeds used were silage, peanut
hay, corn shucks, cottonseed meal,
peanut meal and velvet beans.
The silage was entire corn sflage
made from corn that would average
was given value of SIS per ton
The peanut hay was of very poor
quality, having been subjected to
numerous rains. Half of the hay
still carried the peanuts, so a value
of $27 per ton was given to the
from peanuts could not have brought
more than SIS per ton on the mar
ket.
The corn shuclzs were of good quail
ity and were valued at $40 per ton.
The cottonseed meal and peanut
meal were purchased in brownsville
at $50 per ton each.
The velvet beans were of excep-
tional quality, being two years old
and quite dry. They were valued
Methods of Feeding
The cattle were fed under a shed
throughout the entire period, and
were well bedded. Fresh water and
salt were abundantly supplied. The
feed was given the cattle daily in
the following order:
Beans.
Hay and shucks.
EnSilage.
Shucks and hay.
Beans.
The beans were soaked for twenty
four hours before feeding. Cotton
seed meal and peanut meal were sub
stituted for the beans the last thirty
one days, at which time the silage
was gradually increased until a total
of $500 pounds were being consumed
per day. The meal was gradually in
creased until six pounds were being
fed per head per day at the end of
the feeding period.
The shucks, hay and silage were
given as much as would be cleaned
up per day.
The methods of checking up on
weights of feeds were quite &C
curate in this demonstration. The
average of seven bales each of straw
and hay was used, and likewise the
average of seven trial weights of
beans. A double check was secured
on the beans, since a record had been
kept of total amount purchased. A
load of silage was weighed and
weights were taken. at. each chang
ing amount fed daily. OF course, the
meal fed was easily checked by mum
methods were exceptionally accurate
for farm conditions, as the man in
chargelof the feeding was very care
full and a good stock man.
Methods of Weighing
The initial weight of the steers
was obtained by weighing the after
day, however has not been counted
in the experiment. The average of
the ninety-two heads at this weigh
ing was 700 pounds per head. The
following week for convenience in
feeding the cattle were divided into
were weighed separately thereafter
once a week, with but a few excep-
tions. This weighing was made each
Friday afternoon before the evening
feeding, except for the final weight
obtained Wednesday morning, May
(, aICer the steers ndu SnTuHh over
night. The cattle were sold on these
weights at the farm.
Gains
Total final weights. ........ 270 pounds
Total initial weights ......, "a, 400 pounds
Total gain $3.50 pounds
Average final weight per
steer ....................0 $50 s pounds
Average initial weight per
steer NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. .700.0 pounds
Average gain per steer ..259,5 pounds
Average gain per steer 101
days .....,............. 1850 pounds
Feed required per 100 pounds
gain .................. 1889, SO pounds
Feed cost per 100-pound fain S11.315
Financial Statement
To 80 steers, weight Ga 400 pounds.