Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-06-07
Feeding Methods
Help Live Stock
Plan Evolved by Depart
ment of Agriculture to
Help Breeders.

of Agriculture
The United States Department of
Agriculture a nationwide
service to bring about improved meth
dds of feeding live stock In the United
States The plan Is TO bring the knowl-
edge OF up-to-date feeding methods to
the attention of every livestock feed
err In the country and. in cooperation
with state agricultural colleges, county
extension agents, and other agencies
interested In the betterment of the live
stock of the nation. to offer individual
assistance to farmers who have special
and difficult feeding problems.
Ever since the beginning OF the "Bet-
ter Sires-Better Stock" campaign,
which has enrolled more than I,20O.-
DOC head OF live stock for Improvement
by means of better methods of breed
Ing. there has been a demand from
stockmen over the entire country that
the government inaugurate a better
feeding campaign. A large proportion
OF Inquiries on livestock problems re-
ceived by the department from farmers
OF the country seek information on
feeding. The plan which has been
evolved is expected to render a definite
service 10 those who ask for feeding
help, and also to bring a knowledge OF
better feeding methods to many who
would not make inquiries.
Best Methods Not Practiced.
That good feeding methods are
known and practiced by the more ex-
perLenced live stock owners In the
United States is shown by the good
condition and finish OF a proportion of
animals appearing at stock yards, and
by good records In production made
by some feeders. But the proportion
can be made larger with benefit TO the
individual grower and TO the nation,
according TO the department livestock
specialists. A conservative estimate
based on g careful survey OF American
farms shows that there are IA million
head of runty animals In the country.
A majority of nearly 1000 farmers
who commented or the situation stated
that adequate and proper feed are the
principal means of preventing runti-
ness in animals. The tremendous NOR
tally among young animals is largely
attributable also to lack Of proper
care and feed up 10 and including
weaving time. These, and other facts,
point TO the great need for more gen.
eral practice OF better feeding meth
DDS. They point also to the immense
ofnonnf ~ hannAt chat a aoorv,o -
the nation In the way of better live
stock, more economical production.
and a great saving in feedstuYs. II the
general livestock feeding practice of
the nation can be made more efficient.
Department Offers Wide Service.
The Department OF Agriculture offers
m individual feeding service that is
available to any livestock feeder in
the country. One of the principal fea-
of this service will be a Feeding
Sheet" which farmers may
obtain from their county agents, state
agricultural colleges. or direct from
he department at Washington. On
he feedlng-problem sheet the farmer
his problem briefly, and
his stock and available feeds.
rhe sheet is designed TO enable the
armer to give sufficient information In
,rief form TO make additional CORE
.pondence unnecessary. The farmer
hen refers the sheet to his county
gent, who makes n recommendation.
the sheet reaches the depart
nent a livestock feeding specialist
tudies the problem and makes suit |
BILE reply. I
A great deal OF the correspondence re- l
from farmers asking informa- {
lon on special feeding problems Toes
OF state the conditions surrounding I
problem in sufficient detail TO per-
iii OF a definite reply. Additional cor n
often causes delay. The 4
seding- problem sheet will correct 4
his and make II comparatively simple X
Or a stockman TO submit his problem &
! a form such that Ii may be cor 4
sctly diagnosed. Farmers will be en-
,uraged TO consult local agencies for {
clip with problems that are plainly
cal In character.
Inc Ieeulng-prODlem service VIII De
help to others besides those farmers q
ho submit their problems for CT
agnosis. The department will study III
e problems confronting livestock CO
elders In the different sections of the bl
untry and make public the results of oil
is study. thereby enabling the en- te
country to derive q benefit. Every d.
Te-sfock feeder who submits his feed bs
Z problem. telling his present prac- Sc
e and the results being obtained.
II be an active aid In the drive for r.
tier methods Of livestock feeding.
Handbook Being Prepared.
A vest-pocket-size handbook entitled
Handbook for the Better Feeding isl
Live Stock" is being prepared by rfs
psrfmenf feeding specialists for free bil
Ttribution TO farmers who desire q ha
set Of simple rules and us
erence tables to be followed In feed ere
the different classes of farm ami thu
ls. Requirements of animals. simple thu
slyses OF feeds. feeds to substitute the
other feeds. and simple feeding in