The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-11-19
TREASURE STATE FARM AND LIVESTOCK
Wimterimg Beef Cows ON
Different RatiOms, Tested

PIT pounds Of corn silage. 465 pounds Of
alfalfa hay and 900 pounds OF straw has
given an average winter gain Of 112.5
pounds. This ration has always been rela-
lively costly from the standpoint Of winter
maintenance, the average winter cost for
three years being 1914. However, If cows
are very thin in the fall a ration Of this
kind would be advisable and practical on
many ranches in the state.
Corn Silage and alfalfa hay-ln the win
ter Of 1922-23, an average daily ration Of
30.5 pounds of corn silage and 5.17 pounds
alfalfa hay without the addition of straw
resulted in an average gain Of 72.34 pounds
at an average winter cost of $9.43. This ra-
ton was consumed vOraciOusly and much
Of the straw used for bedding was con-
sumed, indicating that there was not
enough bulk in the ration.
Corn Silage and Straw-An average
daily ration Of 29.2S pounds Of corn silage
and 865 pounds of straw gave an average
winter gain of 544 pounds for three con-
secutive winters. The lowest gain was in
the winter of 1924, when an average gain
Of 30.3 pounds was made. This ration was
Of gains but also from the standpoint of
winter cost, which averaged $7.66 for the
three years.
Corn fodder, straw and brOwse-An av-
erage daily ration of 1911 pounds Of corn
fodder and 6.38 pounds Of straw was fed
successfully Tor three years., producing IN
average winter gain of 1853 pounds at an
average winter cost of $8.73. During the
WAlACA VI LO@O-%E al afCAaEG gam " Ouly
&c pounds was made. However, only six
Of the ten cOws in this lot were pregnant,
which undoubtedly was one Of the factors
influencing the gains. This is a practical
ration and can be used on many ranches,
specially where silOs are not available.
Corn fodder and brOwse-An average
daily ration of 21.32 pounds Of corn fodder
was fed successfully for two years in a
burSh lot where some browsing was done.
An average winter gain of 35.1 pounds was
produced at an average winter cost OF
$16.70. The possibility OF wintering cows
in this way where corn fodder is the only
feed available, Is brought out in these
trials. Although the cost seems high there
are many sections where corn fodder can
be produced at a lower cost than the eight
dollars per ton used in thees figures.
Corn fodder and alfalfa hay-In one
years trial-1923-24-an average daily ra-
ton of 14.34 pounds Of corn fodder, five
pounds Of alfalfa hay, and a little browse
produced an average winter gain of 219
pounds at a feed cost Of $9.67. Only four
calves were produced out of the ten COWS
in this trial, which partly explains the low
gains.
Corn fodder, alfalfa hay and straw
During the winter OF 1924-25 this ration
produced an average winter gain Of 1872
pounds at a feed cost of $10.48.
"COttOnseed cake, silage and straw-An
average ration Of 80 pound Of cake fed with
1887 pounds Of silage and 17.9 pounds of
straw in one years trial did not give re-
suits good enough to warrant the purchase
Of this feed when homegrown feeds are
available. Average gains were 1872 pounds
at a feed cost of $7.37.
"COttOnseed cake and straw produced 23.A
pounds of gain per head at an average cost
Of $3.50 with no charge for the straw. The
results would indicate that this ration
might be used successfully in years when
there is q feed shortage.