BULLETIN NO. 158 ALABAMAi OGTOBER, 1911 Agricultural Experiment Station OF THE Alabama Polytechnic Institute AUBURN Fattening Beef Calves inAlabama Investigations in Cooperation With the Bureau of Animal Industry, Washington, D. C. BY DAN T. GRAY Professor of Animal Industry AND W. F. WARD Junior Animal Husbandman, Bureau of Animal Industry- " Opelika, Ala. Post Publishing Company 1911 COMMITTEE HON. R. F. OF TRUSTEES ON EXPERIMENT STATION. ....................................... Montgomery KOLB HON. H. L. MARTIN.........................................Ozark HON. A. W. BELL. ....... . ................................ Anniston STATION STAFF. C. C. THAGIS, President of the College,F.DUGGAR, Director of Station DEPARTMENT AI.ORGANIZATION --AGRICULTURE: J. F. Duggar, Agriculturist. BOTANY: E. F. Ciuthen, -associat. M. F. Funchess, Assistant. F. E. Lloyd, Botanist. C. S. Ridgway, Assistant. HORTICULTURE: J. T. \Villiamson, FielA Agent. L. L. Glover, Field Agent. 0. H. Sellers, Secretary. VETERINARY: J. P. F. \illiams, Horticulturist. C . C. Price, Assistant. H. M. Conolly, Field Agent C. A. Gary, Veterinarian. 1. 5. \lcAdory, Assistant WV. [M. Howell, Assistant. R. B. Whitsell, Assistant. CHEMISTRY: ENTOMOLOGY. \A7. E. Hines, Entomologist. W. F. Turner, Assistant J.' A. Dew, Field Agent. INDUSTRY: B. B. Rosa, Chemist, Stale Chemist. T. Anderson, Chemist, Soil & Crop~. C. L. Hare, Physiological Chemist. T. Bragg, First Assistant. J. Cohen, Assistant. J. ANIMAL Dan T. Gray, Animal Husbaniin. \V. F L. Warl, Junsor Animal Husbandan EXTENSION: XV. Summers, Assistant. Shook, Assistant. L. L. N. Duncan-, Superintendent.* J. B. Hobdy, Assistant.* S. I. Bechdel, Assistant.* Miss Stroud, E. M7. R.Eudaly, Assistant.* Assistant.* S.S. Jerdan, Assistant.* A. R. Gissendanner, Assistant. C. D. Allis, Assistant. *Jn cooperation with U. S. Department of Agriculture. Fattening Calves in Alabama BY DAN T. GRAY AND W. F. WARD. INTRODUCTION. The beef-cattle business can be, and usually is, divided into two parts-breeding and fattening. As a rule, the man who raises the calf does not finish it on his own farm for the market; he usually sells it to a neighboring farmer who makes a business of fattening and preparing the calf or steer for the market. Thus the feeder often times las no interest at all in raising the calves. Probably the ideal condition, at least for Alabama and adjacent states, is for the calf to be raised and finished on the same farm. But this ideal condition can seldom be realized because the man who raises the calf has, as a rule, only a few cows and can seldom afford to take the time and trouble to fatten the few calves which these cows bring each year. Even if the small farmer were to fatten these few calves each year he could seldom afford to ship them to the large markets, so he is at the mercy of the local buyers. As a result of this condition of affairs the professional feeder has developed. His business is to collect calves and steers into carload lots and prepare them for the open market. The farmer, who has as many as 30 breeding cows on his farm should make it a rule to fatten their offspring himself; le can seldom afford to sell the calves to the professional feeder. The feeder usually makes money on the process of fattening, and the man who raises calves in sufficient numbers should keep this extra profit at home. Furthermore, the farmer who has from 8 to 12 calves or steers ready for the feed lot, will usually find it profitable to buy a sufficient number of feeders to complete the load, and he can then finish all of them -on his own farm. There are many ways of disposing of beef calves or cattle, and the farmer should be watchful to avoid methods by which money might be lost. It is possible to raise beef cattle properly and by selling them improperly to lose money on the 178 business in just the- same way that it is possible to raise good apples, potatoes, and peaches, and lose money on them when the marketing part of the business is not studied and given proper attention. When, beef cattle are bred, fed, and marketed in a sdientific and businesslike manner satisfactory profits should be realized. This is proved by the experience of good cattle men, and by the cooperative experimental work between this Station and the Bureau of Animal Industry. OBJECTS OF THE WORK. The farmer who raises calves is often at a loss to know at what age they should be disposed of. The.spring calf may be sold the subsequent fall; it may be fattened during the winter months and sold as a fat yearling calf; it may be kept on the farm until it is from 2 to 4 years of age and then sold to a professional feeder; or, the. mature steer may be fattened. on the farm where it was raised instead of being sold to a feeder. On account of the various methods which it is possible to adopt for disposing of beef animals, the owner is often in doubt as to the most profitable manner of handling and. disposing of his crop of calves. This Station, working in cooperation with the Bureau of Animal Industry, has done several years' experimental work in .fattening mature steers for the market.* The steers used in this experimental work were not raised on the farm where they were fattened; they were purchased from small farmers who sold them for from 2 1-4 to 3 1-2 cents a pound, the price paid depending upon the quality, age, size, and condition of the animals. Excellent profits were realized on all of the cattle with the exception of one lot, but it is probable that some of the farmers who raised the steers lost money on their part of the transaction, as cattle cannot be raised and sold at a profit for 2 1-4 cents a pound. * Since the publication of the results of the work above mentioned, many farmers in the South have raised the question, "Why not fatten the animals while they are young ?" In the past our farmers and planters insisted on keeping the offspring of their beef cows until they were from three to four years old. , *Note-See Bureau of Animal Industry bulletins Nos. 103 and 131, and Alabama Station bulletins Nos. 150 and 151. **See Alabama Station bulletin No. 150, or Bureau of Animal Industry bulletin No. 103. LOT) I. A close vioN (tsonic indiciulud, in tis of lot to shows tihe general quaclity cf tihe CAIN cs. ftil tjilli4 thed calc a tiltar at ix aihc, 1h he tid 111 N 1114 1112) ~ili t ( 11p .e lt 811 lhe citic nf1111 I a t this811 'tm th l11 l it. tarl d i l'l il. 1ttlt ll calt- lit1' than N h In j1cli Part 1. Winter Fattening of Calves on Cottonseed Meal and Hulls, Corn-and-Cob Meal and Alfalfa Hay. The main object in doing this calf-feeding work was to determine whether the farmer can afford to raise a good grade of calves and finish them for the market while they are yet less than a year old. Secondary considerations were, of course, involved as well. In this part of the test the calves were divided into three lots, so that a comparison of certain feeds could be made. The following problems were studied: 1. To learn whether a farmer can profitably raise and fatten calves and finish them for the market by the time they are a year old. 2. To make comparions of southern feeds and combinations of feeds which can be used for fattening calves during the winter months. Owing to the fact that a high grade of calves cannot be obtained near the Experiment Station at Auburn, Alabama, the work was carried on upon the farm of Cobb and McMillian, of Sumterville, Alabama, with whom the Station and the Bureau have been in cooperation for a number of years. Cobb and McMillian furnished the calves and the feed and the Alabama Experiment Station and the Bureau of Animal Industry provided a trained man to live on the farm and have personal supervision of the experimental work. Mr. H. J. Chatterton was stationed upon the farm and supervised the work. KIND OF CALVES USED. The calves used in this work were high grade animals. The farmer who raises beef cattle cannot afford to raise scrubs, especially the man who expects to finish them for the market while they are young. It would have been absolutely impossible to have made a profit on these calves if they had - - fx F p? y ~ - C'r' Y , 1,~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 0 ~ ~ ~ nr17 ~98 1: ~ 1l, 1iarnoe~ni; s:ua , o~nro ol otnc, ,11 n la Z:itl 1~11 - ~l4 1. to 1-I monthslt old. They v.cre fed on the till). aton 111> s, during Nvh day iicl time they made an a'. erage daily gain of 1.71 pounds. At the beginning of the test they cotst 5350t per hundred-w.eights at the close thex' sold for $5.01 per hundred-weight, A'c wr profit of S1.8 was made on etch calf. 182 .been scrubs instead of high grade beef calves. High-priced feeds can seldom be fed profitably to low-priced cattle. It may be possible for a professional feeder to make a profit on scrubs even when high-priced feeds are used, but when such is the case it means that the feeder made the profit at the expense of the man who raised the scrubs. In other words, it means that the feeder did not pay the producer as much for the scrubs as it actually cost to raise them. The majority of the calves were raised on the farm of Cobb and McMillian, near Sumterville, Alabama, where the feeding was done; some of them were purchased from neighboring farmers in Sumter and adjoining counties. The calves were all well-bred animals although not pure bred. They were grade Shorthorns, Aberdeen-angus, Herefords, and Red Polls, the majority being from one-half to seven-eighths pure. All had been born the preceding spring, so they were from 6 to 8 months of age when the fattening experiment began. During the summer they had run with their mothers on good pasture, and during this time they demanded practically no attention f::rom the owner, except to see that they were salted and dipped. Both the mothers and the calves were dipped regularly all through the summer months to reduce the number of ticks. Very few ticks appeared on the cattle during the summer time. On November 17, 1910, when the preliminary feeding began, the calves averaged 338 pounds in weight. GENERAL PLAN OF THE WORK. When fall arrived, and the pastures were exhausted, the from their mothers, and placed in this winter work. They were in excellent condition at this time. 'The original intention had been to begin the winter feeding early in the fall, to avoid losing any part of the calf-fat, but, on account of an unavoidable delay, the feeding was not begun until the above mentioned date, so no doubt the calves lost a few pounds in weight after the pastures became short. On November 17, 1910, the calves were tagged, dehorned, and divided into three lots. Each lot of calves was fed all winter, or until March 15, 1911, on the following feeds: ,calves were taken 183 Lot 1Cottonseed meal, Cottonseed hulls, Mixed alfalfa hay. Lot 2Cottonseed meal 2-3*, Corn-and-cob nmeal 1-3, Cottonseed hulls, Mixed alfalfa hay. Lot 3Cottonseed meal 1-3*, Corn-and-cob meal 2-3, Cottonseed hulls, Mixed alfalfa hay. SHELTER AND LOTS. The calves were young, so each lot was provided with shelter sufficiently good to turn the cold rains and break the cold north winds. If they had been mature steers the shelter would not have been necessary, but calves will not do well even this far South, without some protection from the cold winds and rains of the winter months. Each lot was confined in a one-half acre paddock. While the lots were not paved, still they did not become excessively muddy, even during the periods of excessive rain. The ground floors of the sheds were always dry, so the calves had a comfortable and convenient place in which to rest. METHOD OF FEEDING AND HANDLING THE CALVES. On November 17, 1910, all the calves were tagged and dehorned. On the following day the individual weights were secured and the 77 calves were divided into three lots as nearly equal as possible in quality, weight, and breeding. The preliminary feeding began November 18, 1910. All of the males were castrated on November 23 and 24. No doubt the results would have been more satisfactory if the calves had been castrated at an earlier age. *As will be seen later the feeds were not fed in exactly the proportions here indicated. 184 The animals were fed twice each day, the morning feed being given about 7 o'clock, and the night feed at 5 o'clock. The concentrated feeds were placed in troughs each of which was about 12 feet long and 3 feed wide. The hay was fed in separate hay racks. Both the troughs and the racks were under sheds so that the feed never became wet and the calves had comfortable quarters in which to eat. Salt was supplied regularly, also pure water in clean troughs. At the beginning and end of the experiment individual weights were secured on two successive days. During the course of the test the total weight of each lot was secured every 28 days. CHARACTER AND PRICE OF FEEDS. Cottonseed meal, corn-and-cob meal, cottonseed hulls, and mixed alfalfa hay were all used in this test. The cottonseed meal and the hulls were purchased and hauled to the farm. The corn-and-cob meal and the mixed alfalfa hay were grown upon the farm. All of the feeds were of good quality. The cottonseed meal was fresh and bright; the hay consisted of a mixture of about one-half each of Johnson grass and alfalfa. The corn was grown upon the farm and before it was fed the whole ear of corn with the shuck was run through a grinder and made into corn-and-cob meal. The feeds were valued as follows: Cottonseed meal ............ $26.00 a ton Cottonseed hulls ........... 7.00 a ton Corn ....................... 70 a bushel Mixed hay ................ 15.00 a ton As a matter of fact, the cottonseed meal cost only $25.00 a ton, and corn was worth only 50 cents a bushel, but the above prices were adopted for the sake of uniformity. These prices have been used in other publications from this Station, and represent fairly accurately the average prices of feeds in this State. II A,.' 'it t S Ca~k.'.'~ A, 4! t~4.'~AiS~. " A4, I iict*1~ Sj~' .1" ; I AId7 rzw Gr r 1t A ~W 4 Y; ntl td-ob mcal \. Is used for the gI vaiest profit, as. onis S $. Itas mttde on ech caif, ss tile S2.25 xxits made on each clf Lot 2. 1Ioss cer . th c orn N5is sold for more bymeans of the calv.es t han it wxould have brwoughi on the market as. corn. cor1 in 186 DAILY RATIONS. More care and skill must be exercised in feeding a young animal than an old one. A six-year-old ox may be cared for and fed in a careless manner and still no serious results follow; but the young calf will not grow and develop with any degree of satisfaction under a careless system of management and feeding. The younger the animal the greater the skill required to care for and feed it; one case of overfeeding will often throw the stomach and bowels out of condition for weeks. It will be noticed from the table below that at first the calves were given a very small quantity of concentrated feed, the amount being gradually increased to the end of the test. They were given, from the beginning, all of the hay they would clean up. TABLE 1. Daily Ration for Each Calf. (Nov. 17, 1910 RATION LOT 1 Pounds March 17, 1911.) LOT 2 Pounds LOT 3 Preliminary Periods Nov. 17-Dec. 7 Regular Periods First 28 Days 2.09 cottonseed meal 5.34 cottonseed hulls 5.10 mixed hay 1.91 .69 5.77 5.57 1.85 .92 7.36 5.18 2.14 1.17 7.57 5.51 2.70 1.35 8.00 5.51 3.42 1.71 8.80 5.74 cottonseed meal corn-and-cob meal cottonseed hulls mixed hay cottonseed meal corn-and-cob meal cottonseed hulls mixed hay cottonseed meal corn-and-cob meal cottonseed hulls mixed hay cottonseed meal corn-and-cob meal cottonseed hulls mixed hay cottonseed meal corn-and-cob meal cottonseed hulls mixed hay 1.36 1.69 5.35 4.66 cottonseed meal corn-and-cob meal cottonseed hulls mixed hay Pounds 2.69 cottonseed meal 7.36 cottonseed hulls 5.05 mixed hay 1.85 cottonseed meal 3.73 corn-and-cob meal 7.39 cottonseed hulls 3.70 mixed hay Second 28 Days 3.16 cottonseed meal 7.57 cottonseed hulls 5.24 mixed hay 2.14 cottonseed meal 4.67 corn-and-cob meal 7.57 cottonseed hulls 3.36 mixed hay Third 28 Days 3.63 cottonseed meal 8.00 cottonseed hulls 5.86 mixed hay 2.15 cottonseed meal 4.30 corn-and-cob meal 8.00 cottonseed hulls 8.57 mixed hay Last 16 Days 3.67 cottonseed meal 8.88 cottonseed hulls 2.00 cottonseed meal 4.00 corn-and-cob meal 8 00 cottonseed hulls 5.60 mixed hay 5.79 mixed hay. ~Y T l~- C-~ ~ ~ l/r~7 I~I~II~~II~C I1IC l ~ll -l I I ~~.1 lllllllll\rrl 187 During the preliminary feeding period each calf in Lot I received an average of only 2.09 pounds of cottonseed meal each day. And during the last 16 days of the feeding period the calves in this lot received an average daily feed of only 3.67 pounds of cottonseed meal. At one time the daily allowance of cottonseed meal was raised to four pounds for each calf, but some of them began to .scour and the amount of meal was quickly reduced. The calves in Lots 2 and 3 received a partial feed of corn-and-cob meal; this corn-and-cob meal was mixed with the cottonseed meal, so the daily allowance of concentrated feeds for the calves of these two lots was greater than that of the calves in Lot 1.. During the preliminary period each calf in Lot 2 received a daily feed of 2.6 pounds of concentrated feeds, practically one-fourth of the amount being cornand-cob meal. Each calf in Lot 3, during the same period, received 3.05 pounds daily of the concentrated feeds, 55.4 per cent. of which was corn-and-cob meal. At the end of the test each calf in Lot 3, was eating 6 pounds daily of the mixture of one-third cottonseed meal and two-thirds corn-and-cob meal; they ate this amount readily with no ill results following. It should be noted that when the amount of feed was increased it was increased gradually. No abrupt changes were made. WEIGHTS AND GAINS. When the preliminary weights were secured, November 18, 1910, the calves averaged from 6 to 8 months in age. While they were not large for their age, they were larger than the average for the State. Their mothers probably averaged about 1,000 pounds in weight in usual breeding condition. The calves had not been pampered in any way during the summer months; they had simply run with their mothers upon a reasonab'y good pasture. In some previous experimental work* done by this Station and the Bureau of Animal Industry, yearling grade Angus calves attained a weight of only 402 pounds, but they were heavily infested with ticks. Some ticks were permitted to get on the calves used in the present test, but they were not badly infested. Of course, this slight infestation retarded their development, but just how much it is impossible to state. * ee Alabama Station bulletin No. 150, or Bureau of Animal Industry bulletin No. 103. rP LI .1 ""eolij c~l, A t close of test. MaLrchI 17. 1911. N hen tlEz 1Aley made :u, .1, el gdailN ;;vin of 1.7(, pounds: the months old. it, ii tad NN cre from 12 to 14 i i - , i,'-u-,ed ;} old 1t m'dic~ 1lttl_ mtorettapitls than those in I ot I. The si 1.89 The table belowv shows that satisfactory gains were secured during this winter test: TABLE 2.- tVighlts, Total Gains, and Average Daily Gains. (Nov. 17, 1910 March 17, 1911.) Cot 1 LtNumber of calves Ration Number of days fed Average Average finai initial weight of weight of each calf each calf (Nov. 17-Dec. 7) Pounds Pounds total cain Average of each calf daily gain Average of each calf Preliminary Period Pounds Pounds 27 Cottonseed meal Cotonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal2 Corn-and-cob meal 13 Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal 13 Corn-and cob meal Cottonseed hulls M ixed alfalfa hay 19 338 380 42 2.21 2 24 19 333 374 41 2.16 3 26 2 19 328 367 39 - 2(5 Regular Feeding Period (Dec. 7, 19 0-March 17, 1911) 27 Cottonseed meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 2 24 Cottonseed meal 2 Corn-and-cob meal %3 Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal 13 Corn-and-cob meal Cottonseed Lulls Mixed- alfalfa hay 100 3S0 541 161 1.61 1CO 374 543 109 1 69 3 26 2 1C0 367 546 179 1.79 Preliminary and Regular Periods Combined (Nov. 1 27 Cottonseed meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal 23 3 T7, 541 1910-March 17, 1911) 119 338 203 1.71 2; 24 Corn-and-cob meal Cottonseed hulls Mfixed alfalfa hay 3 26 Cottonseed meal 3 Corn-and-cob meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 119 333 543 210 1.76 2 119 328 546 218 1.83 190 During -the preliminary period, from November 17 to December 7, the calves were dehorned and the males castrated, yet they made excellent gains. The lots gained a daily average of 2.21, 2.16, and 2.05 pounds, respectively, during this period. Of course, some of this increase in live weight can be attributed to "fill ;" it was not all real gain in terms of meat and bone. During the regular experiment, from December 7 to March 17, the gains were also entirely satisfactory. The calves in Lot 1, the lot which had no corn-and-cob meal mixed with cottonseed meal, made the smallest gains, each calf gaining 1.61 pounds each day.; this, however, was a satisfactory daily gain for small and young animals. The calves in Lot 3, the lot which was given the heavy feed of corn-and-cob meal along with the cottonseed meal, made the greatest gains, each calf gaining 1.79 pounds daily. The calves in Lot 2, the lot which received the small amount of corn-and-cob meal along with the cottonseed meal, made an average daily gain of 1.69 pounds. During the whole winter feeding period each calf gained an average of 203, 210, and 218 pounds in weight in Lots 1, 2,. and 3, respectively, so when the calves were sold, March 17, the whole lot of 77 calves averaged 543 pounds in weight. They were practically 12 months old when sold. It should not be inferred that the ration which produced the greatest gain in a given time is necessarily the best or most profitable one. While the question of rapidity of gain is an extremely important factor in final profits, there are other factors, as the cost of the gain, which must be taken into consideration. QUANTITY AND COST OF FEED REQUIRED TO MAKE 100 POUNDS OF GAIN IN LIVE WEIGHT. While the feeds used were all expensive ones, the cost to, make 100 pounds of gain was not excessive. In fact, the gains were made cheaply. This was due to several factors.. First, the calves were young and growing, and young animals. of all kinds can be made to increase in weight more economically than old ones. Second, the calves were very thrifty, and so made good use of the feed that they ate. Third, all of the rations were extremely palatable, especially the two which Ihad tlhe corn-a11nd1C~h HIidi 1fli\Cd I ~ithi the C( )ttuH~e( C 1Ci. \~~~~ nou ofaykn anma I not maeStsatr in on anunllthcrto . F utteclu a u fra l 2. _A ,loseSHS tOc Sto ho some aetrtzt' i .six ! bfote the cal-s we h scre sol. ttind itius in Sthe lot. "I he it~ture 55t1 taken~ M1uch 11, 1911. or 1There is none in ratisintg thtis kind o catses. 192 TABLE 3.-Quantity and Cost of Feed Required to Make One Hundred Pounds of Gain. Number of days fed Pounds of feed to make 100 pounds of gain Cost of feed to make 100 pounds of gain Lot Ration Preliminary Period (Nov. 17-Dec. 7) Pounds 1 Cottonseed meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal 3 Corn-and-cob-meal 19 95 meal 241 hulls 230 hay 88 meal 40)corn $3.80 2 Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 3 Cottonseed meal 3 Corn-and-cob-meal 2 Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 19 266 hulls 257 hay 66 103 261 228 meal corn hulls hay 4.40 19 4.51 Regular Feeding Period (Dec. 7-March 17) 1 Cottonseed meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal 2 Corn-and-cob meal 3 Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal 3 Corn and-cob meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 201 meal 486 hulls 338 hay 143 72 464 323 114 234 430 216 meal corn hulls hay meal corn hulls hay 100 6.85 2 100 6.63 3 % 100 6.95 Preliminary and Regular Periods Combined (Nov. 17-March 17) 1 Cottonseed meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal % Corn-and-cob meal 3 Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay Cottonseed meal 3 Corn-and-cob meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 179 meal 435 hulls 315 hay 133 65 425 310 130 211 400 218 meal corn hulls hay meal corn hulls hay 119 6.22 2 119 6.19 3 % . 119 6.83 193 During the preliminary period, the calves made both rapid and economical gains, notwithstanding the fact that they had been dehorned and castrated. It cost $3.80, $4.40, and $4.51 to make 100 pounds of gain in live weight in Lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively, during the preliminary period. In this period, therefore, the calves which ate nothing except cottonseed meal, hulls, and alfalfa hay made the cheapest gains. This, however, was not true of the test when taken as a whole. After the calves had been on feed some weeks, with the "fill" not taken into consideration, the gains were not made as cheaply as at first. Under average feeding conditions the cheapest gains are made during the first few, weeks of the fattening process; the expensive gains are usually made near the close of the feeding period. During the regular feeding period it cost $6.85, $6.63, and $6.95 to make 100 pounds of gain in Lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The cheapest gains were made by the calves in Lot 2, where the small amount of cornand-cob meal was fed along with the cottonseed meal. The most expensive gains weren made in Lot 3, where the calves received a heavy proportion of corn-and-cob meal The cost of the gains, however, does not determine absoIttely the final profits. While the cost of the gains is a very important factor irn determining, final profits, there are other factors which must be taken into. consideration as well. The final selling price of the cattle .must also be considered as an important factor. If expensive. gains are, accompanied by a proportionate increase in: the, final value and selling price of the cattle, the cost of the gains is a miner consideration, but if expensive gains do not increase the final selling price of the animal in proportion to. the increased expense of making the gains, those feeds wiichli have caused the expensive, gains .should be eliminated.: When the prei binary and the regular periods are coin- lbned into one period of 119 days, it cost $6.22, $6.19, and $6.83 to produce : 100 pounds of gain in Lots 1, 2, .and 3, spectively, Lot 2 still showing up to the best advantage and Lot 3 to a considerable disadvantage. :re- I HI A:s ' i) ON F AE( II \ O O F iI EI) \XIi EN ) I fIM ES OFF THE OTHiER FEEDS AHE FiTi1 IlE1I \ llt. aII the cvit. >'i ll ii t.ti/t 1 C tlc i' il~t.( itl t.\l c itl~t- ;H; ai t,%l l ;ti , n,ii 11im t c -tli. lc ilta . l 1;iti a till l I 2(r aI( th1 O Y 1i( 1911 r ( Sat Ilt t iki l it -r ; SCt- ii a l t't (1c:I dib le. m 1 ea c 11 ; , tli(r 1( a tl-nc (t ): r !li k t i~ nC Itls liii~t i O 1 ts I or 11k ,a-cla e1. v v cl% 195 The following table throws some light on this problem: TABLE 4. Prices Realized on Each Feed When Fed to Beef Calves. LOT 1 LOT 2 LOT 3 Prices realized on each ton of cottonseed meal when the prices on the other feeds are fixed $36.10 when 11.15 $42.18 $36.50 Prices realized on each ton of hulls the prices on the other feeds are fixed 12.05 10.40 Prices realized on each bushel of corn when the prices on the other feeds are fixed Prices realized on each ton of mixed alfalfa hay when the prices on the other feeds are fixed 1.90 0.95 20.72 20.92 21.25 While the cottonseed meal cost only $26.00 a ton, it was fed to the calves and sold, by means of them, for $36.10 to $42.18 a ton. The hulls cost only $7.00 a ton, and they were resold, by means of the calves, for $10.40 to $12.05 a ton. If the corn had been sold upon the market, it would not have brought more than 60 cents a bushel during the fall of 1910 (it was charged against these calves, however, at 70 cents a bushel), but when it was fed to these calves it was sold, by means of the calves, for 95 cents a. bushel in Lot 3 and $1.90 a bushel in Lot 2. If the mixed alfalfa hay had been sold as hay, it would not have brought more than $15.00 a ton on the farm, but it was sold through the calves for $20.72 to $21.25 a ton. The results tend to show that the farmer can usually afford to buy certain outside feeds-feeds which had not been grown on the farm-for feeding his animals, while he can almost always afford to feed his home-grown feeds to live stock rather than sell them upon the market. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. These calves fattened, so the estimated value without shrink, 1910. were raised on the farm oln which they were initial or fall price is an estimated one. Their was placed at 3'2 cents a pound on the farm, when these experiments began, November 17, 196 W\Vhen they were ready to be sold, buyers visited the farm to make bids. At the time of sale, the beef market was on a rapid decline, so they did not sell as well as was expected. They were sold March 17, 1911 ,the calves in Lot 1 selling for $5.01 per hundred-weight on the farm, those in Lot 2 bringing $5.11 per hundred-weight, and those in Lot 3 selling for $5.26 per hundred-weight. All the sales were based on the farm weight, after a 3 per cent shrink. They were shipped to the Cincinnati market where complete slaughter records were secured. TABLE 5.--Financial Statement. Cottonseed meal, hay: To 27 calves, 9,120 lbs. at 3 Lot 1. cottonseed hulls, mixed alfalfa cents per lb..... $319.20 127.67 To 9,821 lbs. cottonseed meal at $26 a ton .... To 23,908 lbs. cottonseed hulls at $7 a ton .... 83.68 To 17,320 lbs. mixed alfalfa hay at $15 a ton. . 129.90 Total expense ................ $660.45 $710.02 TEy sale of 27 calves, 14,172 lbs. at $5.01 per cwt $ 49.57 ............... Total profit 1.84 Profit per calf .................... Lot 2. Cottonseed meal 2-3, corn-and-cob meal 1-3,cottonseed hulls, mixed alfalfa hay: To 24 calves, 7,984 lbs., at 32 cents per lb..... $279.44 86.87 To 6,682 lbs. cottonseed meal at $26.00 a ton.. To 3,298 lbs. corn-and-cob meal at 70 cts. a bu. 32.98 To 21,418 lbs, cottonseed hulls at $7.00 a ton.. 74.96 To 15,630 lbs. mixed alfalfa hay at $15 a ton.. 117.23 Total expense .................... $591.48 By sale of 24 calves, 12,633 lbs. at $5.11 per cwt. $645.55 Total profit ............ ........ $ 54.07 Profit per calf ..................... 2.25 197 Lot 3. Cottonseed meal 1-3, corn-and-cob meal 2-3,cottonseed hulls, mixed alfalfa hay: To 26 calves, 8,531 lbs, at 32 cents a lb..... $298.59 To 7;353 lbs. cottonseed meal at $26.00 a ton.. 95.59 To 11,963 lbs. corn-and-cob meal at 70 ct. per bu 119.63 To 22,687 lbs. cottonseed hulls at $7.00 a ton... 79.40 To 12,363 lbs. mixed alfalfa hay at $15 a ton.. 92.72 Total expense .................. $685.93 By sale of 26 calves, 13,774 lbs. at $5.26 per cwt. $724.51 Total profit ..................... Profit per calf ............. $ 38.58 ........ 1.48 The above shows that all of the calves were fed at a profit, the lowest being $1.48 per calf in Lot 3, and the highest $2.25 per calf in Lot 2. What do these profits mean? They mean the corn and the hay raised on the farm were sold, through the calves, at 70 cents a bushel and $15.00 a ton respectively that the money expended for cottonseed meal and hulls was all returned to the owner; that the fer ilizer value of these feeds was left on the farm, and, in addition, each calf returned the above additional profits. The monetary returns were satisfactory as the farm feeds were sold for more, by means of the calves, than could have been secured for them on the market, and their fertilizing value was left on the farm in theshape of barn-yard manure. The calves in Lot 3, the ones which received the heavy ration of corn-and-cob meal, returned the smallest profit, notwithstanding the fact that they sold for the highest price at Cincinnati. The increase in the price did not overcome the added expense of feeding a heavy ration of corn-and-cob meal. While it did not pay to feed the heavy ration of cornand-cob meal, it did pay to feed the small amount of corn-andcob meal which was used in Lot 2, as the calves in this lot proved to be the most profitable ones fed. This indicates that, when fattening beef calves with cottonseed meal and corn-andcob meal as the concentrates, one-third of the concentrated part of the ration can profitably consist of corn-and-cob meal,, 198 while it is less profitable to have corn-and-cob meal constitute two-thirds of the concentrated part of the ration. However, there. is one factor, that has not been taken into consideration which, if considered, adds to the profits of Lots 2 and 3, especially the latter. Some undigested corn passed through the calves in these two lots; if hogs followed them they would derive no little benefit from the droppings. In fact several hogs did follow the steers in Lot 3, but no record was kept of their gains. These gains should be credited to the calves. SLAUGHTER RECORDS. As stated before, these calves were all shipped to the Cincinnati market, where full slaughter data were secured. The animals were driven 9 miles from the farm to the railroad, and on account of unusual delays were on the cars 67 hours before reaching Cincinnati. The slaughter results are given in the following table: TABLE 6.-Slaughtcr Data. Total Lot Average *Total Number weight on Total live shrink on. shrinkof farm after weight at of calves 3 per cent Cincinnati whole lot each calf shrink Per cent drdssed out by farm weights Per cent dressed out by market weights Pounds Pounds Pounds Pounds Per Cent Per cent 1 2 3 27 24 26 14172 12633 13774 13050 11740 12700 1123 893 1074 41.6 37.2 41.3 47.6 47.8 48.9 51.7 51.5 53.1 The calves of Lot 3, the ones which received the large proportion of corn-and-cob meal, dressed out the highest, each calf in this lot dressing 53.1 per cent. by the market weights. The calves in Lots 1 and 2 dressed out 51.7 and 51.5 per cent., respectively. The trip was a hard one on the calves and, when the size (of the animals is taken into consideration, they shrank heavily on the road to Cincinnati. The average loss in weight for each calf was 41.6 pounds in Lot 1, 37.2 pounds in Lot 2, and 41.3 pounds in Lot 3. *After 3 per cent shrink. -'I -I ~ r. 01 3. A picture tot ,ahos theCquaility atnd fintisht (if somt tt the iCAN is at close oft i his test ind iates that then fairmer canniot afford to sell his corn and and li products. I hey shotuld hie turned itom meat and sold a: siucI. t Niii Ii, 1. I firm is t a'. 200 :SUMMARY. TABLE 7.-Summary Table. LOT 1 Number of calves in each lot . Ration LOT 2 LOT 3 27 Cottonseed meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 24 Cottonseed meal 23 Corn-and-cob meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 119 26 Cottonseed meal 3 Corn-and-cob meal 3 Cottonseed hulls Mixed alfalfa hay 119 Total days fed Average weight when feedingbegan Average weight __ final 119 338 pounds 333 pounds 328 pounds 541 pounds 543 pounds 546 pounds Total gain of each calf, Nov. 17, 1910 to Mar. 17, 1911_ Average daily gain of each calf, Nov. 17, 1910 to March 17, 1911 __ Pounds feed to make 100 pounds gain, Nov.17, 1910 to March 17. 1911 Cost to make 1C0 pounds gain, Nov. 17, 1910, to Mar. 17, 1911 __ Prices realized on each ton of cottnseed mealwhenother prices are fixed Prices realized on each ton of hull when other prices are fixed ----. 203 pounds 210 pounds 218 pounds 1.71 pounds 1.76 pounds 133 65 425 310 pounds pounds pounds pounds meal corn hulls hay 1.83 pounds 130 211 400 218 pounds pounds pounds pounds meal corn hulls hay 179 pounds meal 435 pounds hulls 315 pounds hay $6.22 $6.19 $6.83 $36.10 $42.18 $36.50 $11.15 $1.1 $12.05 $1.5$I0 $10.40 201 LOT 1 LOT2 LOT3 Price realized on each bushel of corn when other prices are fixed_ Price realized on each ton of hay when other prices ------. $1.90 $0.95 are fixed _ $20.72 $20.92 $21.25 Fall price of calves per cwt.------$3.50 $3.50 Selling price of calves per cwt..Profit on each calf above all expenses $5.01 $5.11 $5.26 $1.84 $2.25 $1.48 Summary Statements. 1. The animals used in the experiment were calves ranging from 6 to 8 months of age. 2. The feeding was begun November 17, 1910, and continued until March 17, 1911. 3. The 77 calves were divided into three lots and each lot fed upon the following feeds: Lot 1.-Cottonseed meal, Cottonseed hulls, Mixed alfalfa hay. Lot 2: Cottonseed meal 2-3, Corn-and-cob meal 1-3, Cottonseed hulls, Mixed alfalfa hay. Lot 3.-Cottonseed meal 1-3, Corn-and-cob meal 2-3, Cottonseed hulls, Mixed alfalfa hay. 4. During the whole feeding period, each calf in Lots 1, 2, and 3 made an average daily gain of 1.71, 1.76, and 1.83 pounds, respectively. 202 5. When the whole feeding period is taken into consideration, the following pounds of feed were required to make 100 pounds of gain: Lot 1:-179 pounds of cottonseed meal, 435 pounds of hulls, and 315 pounds of hay. Lot 2:-133 pounds of cottonseed meal, 65 pounds of corn-and-cob meal, 425 pounds of hulls, and 310 pounds of hay. Lot 3:-130 pounds of cottonseed meal, 211 pounds corn-and-cob meal, 400 pounds of h lls, and 218 pounds of hay. 6. When the whole feeding period is taken into consider- ation, each 100 pounds of gain in Lets 1, 2, and 3, cost $6.22, $6.19, and $6.83, respectively. 7. By means of the calves, each ton of alfalfa hay was :sold for $20.72, $20.92, and $21.25 in Lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively, when the prices of the other feeds were fixed. 8. By means of the calves, each bushel of corn was sold for $1.90 and $0.95 in Lots 2, and 3, respectively, when the prices of the other feeds were fixed. 9. Cottonseed meal cost $26.00 a ton, but, by means of the calves, was sold for $36.10, $42.18, and $36.50 a ton in Lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively, when the prices of the other feeds were fixed. 10. Cottonseed hulls cost $7.00 a ton, but, by means of the calves, each toll was sold for $11.15, $12.05, and $10.40 in Lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively, when the prices of the other feeds were fixed. 11. The calves cost $3.50 per hundred-weight at the beginning of the test. At the close they sold for $5.01, $5.11, and $5.26 per hundred-weight in Lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 12. Each calf netted a clear profit of $1.84, $2.25, and $1.48 in Lots 1, 2, and 3, respectively 13. The profits were satisfactory, as the farm crops were sold for considerably more, by means of the calves, than if they had been sold as farm crops. The value of the manure should be considered also. Part II. Fattening Calves in Winter on Cottonseed Meal, Cottonseed hulls, and Peavine h1ay OBJECTS. Fifty-two calves were used in this experiment, the main objects of which were: 1. To determine whether or not young beef calves can be fattened profitably for the spring market on a feed of cottonseed meal, cottonseed hulls and mixed peavine hay. 2. To study the value of shelter for young calves while being fattened. The 52 calves were divided into two lots when the test began on December 7, 1910. One lot was fed under the shelter of a good barn, the other lot being fed in a corn-stalk field with no shelter at all except some trees. It was subsequently seen, however, that these young calves would not thrive during the winter months without a shelter to turn the cold rains, so on February 11, 1911, they were brought into the barns and placed under the sheds with the other calves. After February 11 the 52 head of calves were fed as one lot. The work was done in cooperation with Mr. E. F. Allison of Sumter county, Alabama, who had kindly agreed to cooperate in experimental work with beef cattle and hogs. Mr. Allison furnished the calves and the feed while the Station and the Bureau of Animal Industry provided a trained man to be stationed on the farm to look after the experiment. Mr. L. W. Shook lived on the farm and had personal charge of the work. THE CALVES. The majority of the calves used in the experiment were raised on the farm of Mr. Allison, near Bellamy, Alabama. A few calves were purchased from neighbors. More than half of those raised on Mr. Allison's farm were grade Aberdeen-Angus of excellent quality. The ones which were par- 204 chased from neighbors were of common quality and showed very little beef blood. As a whole, they were not as large or as good in quality as were the calves which were used in the other two tests reported in this bulletin. When the test began they had attained an average weight of 313 pounds. The calves were born during the spring of 1910, so were from 6 to 8 months old when the..test.began, December 7, 1910. They were valued at 3 cents a pound at the beginning of the experiment. PLAN OF THE WORK. At the beginning of the test the 52 calves were divided into two lots of 26 each. One lot was fed in a small paddock across the west side of which extended a good shelter. As previously stated, the intention at first was to feed the second lot of calves without shelter; that is, they were to be fed in a corn field where no shelter, except trees, was available. All were started on feed December 7, 1910, but it was seen that the calves without shelter were not making satisfactory and economical gains, as the winter was unusually wet and cold, so on February 11, 1911, the field lot of calves was brought to the barn and placed with the other calves. The whole 52 head were fed together in one lot from February 11 to the end of the test, March 29, 1911. On account of the fact that the two lots were finally thrown together as one, the test is presented in this publication as Cone lot. PRICES AND QUALITY OF THE FEEDS. Cottonseed meal, cottonseed hulls, and mixed cowpea hay were the feeds used. The cowpea hay was grown upon the farm; the other two feeds were purchased on the market. On March 20, 1911, the supply of cowpea hay was exhausted and a change was made to a rather poor quality of hay composed of crab grass with a small trace of lespedeza and peawines. The feeds were valued as follows: $26.00 a ton Cottonseed meal ........... Cottonseed hulls ............. 7.00 a ton Mixed peavine hay ......... .15.00 a ton 1.1 I lici we re 52 caclve in tis lot. but the .il~c, c groupjI sho,)c mlc . er c Iu~tl s cr IIl. I'hs lc'ctics xrc R stacrted1 on iccil Decemnber 7. 19111. Thc sscre ccd unitil Marucht 29. 11l1cttitotc.cctccscimi.ct~tsuihlstc ia ti its . At the beiningiti oftheli test clics a r ccciid M1; piounds inc, vsict, and at the c lose -ii2 pioundis. us I ccc rcost 3 ccints to hecuira Fr lit ni sold for 555 c~pet litiiclic Iccc cl I ach cal neiticed a cleair profit of S3.: 0. gireat declight. 206 DAILY RATIONS. During the first month no hay was fed, but it was thought that it would be profitable to use some hay along with the hulls, so it was provided after the first month. It should be remembered in studying the following daily feeds, that these were young and small calves. Their average weight was only 313 pounds when the test began. TABLE 8.-Daily Ration for Each Calf by Monthly Periods. (Dec. 7, 1910-March 29, 1911,) Cottonseed Meal Cottonseed Hulls Hay Periods Pounds Pounds Pounds First 28 days Second 28 days Third 28 days Fourth 28 days 2.84 3.11 3.27 3.09 10.20 10.40 9.94 9.50 0 2.04 2.04 1.92 During no period did the calves average eating more than 3.27 pounds each of cottonseed meal daily. Even with this small allowance of the meal a few calves scoured. They were given a definite number of pounds of hulls along with the meal, and ,all of the hay they would eat up clean after each meal. They ate, on the average, practically 10 pounds of hulls per calf per day, and slightly more than two pounds of hay. Many feeders would criticize the above rations as being too small, but satisfactory gains were made. WEIGHTS AND GAINS. The calves did not make unusually large gains, but when their size is taken into consideration it is seen that they increased in weight at a reasonable rate. The feeding period was continued for 112 dclays and during this time an average daily gain of 1.24 pounds was secured. 207 TABLE 9.-Weights and Gains. (Dec. 7, 1910-March 29, 1911.) Average final weight of each calf Average total gain of each calf Average daily gain of each call Number of calves Average initial weight of each calf Pounds Pounds Pounds Pounds 52 313 452 139 1.24 At the inauguration of the experiment each calf weighed 313 pounds; at the close they had attained an average weight of 452 pounds, hence during the feeding period of 112 days, (Dec. 7, 1910, to March 29, 1911) each calf made a total gain of 139 pounds. The animals were thrifty throughout the whole test. QUANTITY AND COST OF FEED REQUIRED TO MAKE 100 POUNDS OF GAIN. Considlering that these calves were fattened in the winter time and upon dry feeds altogether, the gains as shown in the table below were produced at an unusually small expense. This was due largely to the fact that the animals were young. The younger the animal the more cheaply can the gains be made. As a rule, the feeder cannot expect to produce gains as cheaply on mature as on young cattle. TABLE 10.--Quantity anid Cost of Feed to make zoo Pounds of Gain. Ration Ration P onmsne punrs Cost of feed to make ed to of gain 103pounds of gain Pounds Number of animals 52 Cottonseed meal 249 meal Cottonseed hulls Mixed cowpea hay 808 hulls 121 hay $6.97 It is seen that 249 pounds of cottonseed meal, 808 pounds of cottonseed hulls, and 121 pounds of hay were required to make 100 pounds of gain; or, when feeds were valued as on page 184 it cost $6.97 to make 100 pounds of increase in live weight. PARTl h 11I. TVt) igood indl.' itels. Ths t rtepre t woI' llte Ih'st t pe o1 c ik es in tis let',. I hey AMOL'N' REALIIZED ON E XCI AIIICN'HE '[ON 01' FEEl) W 'EED)S XIRE FIXED). that iltl fililiil FICES1: tal X li ti OF OTHER cmti nxlmii'i1i th 11 11111r lii, dtlilC l'iiii/L tI li ii Cltr ii ti and til secnd ('Li whe iica x Im, il raiitfC' lii he il l ti arcs lig 'cll \catc.......................... l 1) . lla . so . n them sok . . ic ta2w . . s(Id Prto1 ilt'aij/cl alitinr fa ll l\C1i 1ha xch ll (ilic. luse was~ soll Prtce ainlullit (f a he caki,esii'ri t ll c. m th f.lttltti for cdx, t l .I (il rclictlt (ttnl c.1711 ioili a(if x c hullt'l ofil Si.( c alvs t o lc *()3C att t . Th otnsixal cs 70 209 FINANCIAL STATEMENT. At the beginning of the experiment the calves were valued at .3 cents a pound. When they were ready to sell, March 29, 1911, they were shipped to New Orleans where they sold for an average of $5.55 per hundred-weight. All expenses were taken into consideration in the financial statement below, such .as freight, feed, yardage, and commission for selling in New Orleans. The calves were not sold by farm weight, so the financial statement is based on New Orleans weights and prices. TABLE 11.-Fiinancial Statement. $ To 52 calves, 16,304 lbs., at 3 cents per lb ........ To 17900 lbs. of cottonseed meal at $26.00 a ton.. To 58,303 lbs. of cottonseed hulls at $7.00 a ton.. To 8,743 lbs. of mixed peavine hay at $15.00 a ton.. To shipping expenses, commission, yardage, etc., on 52 calves ................................ Total expense ........................... By sale of 52 calves, 23,212 lbs., at $5.55.. ..... Total profit ................................ Profit per calf .............................. 489.12 232.70 204.06 65.57 114.92 $ 1,106.37 $ 1,288.27 $ 181.90 3.50 After all expenses were charged against the calves they netted a clear profit of $3.50 each. This was a satisfactory profit. Itcost $2.21 to ship each calf to New Orleans and pay all the selling expenses upon their arrival; the total shipping expenses amounted to 49 cents for each 100 pounds live weight. SLAUGHTER RECORDS. As stated before, these calves were shipped to New Orleans where slaughter records were secured. They were driven three miles to the railroad at Bellamy, Alabama, to be loaded on the cars. 210 TABLE 12.-Slaughter Data. Per cent dressed out by: of Number Average farm Average mar- Shrinkage of weight with- ket weight at each calf in transit out shrink New Orleans calves Srn weight am weight Mre Pounds Pounds Pounds Per cent Per cent 45 455 443 12 52.8 52.7 There were 52 calves altogether, but the dressed veights of only 45 were secured. The animals lost an average of 12 this was an pounds each during the trip to New unusually small shrinkage. They dressed out 52.7 per cent by New Orleans weights, and 52.8 per cent by farm weights, after a 3 per cent shrink. Orleans; SUMMARY. TABLE 13.-Summary Table. Total number of calves.............................52 Average weight of each calf at beginning of tcst (December 7, 1910)......................313 Average weight of each calf at end of test, (March 29, 1911).......................452 each calf...................139 Average gain Average daily gain of each calf for 112 days .... 1.24 pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds of Pounds feed required to make 100 pounds of Meal .............. gain: 249 Hulls .... ".............808 Hay... ............... Cost to make 100 pounds of gain ................ Price realized on each ton cottonseed meal........... pounds, 121 pounds $.9 $46.32 Price realized on each ton cottonseed hulls............ Price realized on each ton hay................... Average value of calves at beginning of test (Decem............ ber 7, 1910), per cwt. ............. Selling price of calves at New Orleans (March 29, 1911), per cwt................................ ........... Total profit on each calf............... $13.24$56.61 $3.00* $5.55 $3.50C 211 Summary Statements. 1. The calves used in this test were from 6 to 8 months old when the experiment began, December 7, 1910. 2. They were valued at $3.00 per hundred-weight when the test began. 3. At the beginning of the test the calves averaged 313 pounds in weight; at the close (March 29, 1911) they had attained an average weight of 452 pounds. They made an average daily gain of 1.24 pounds. 4. There were required 249 pounds of cottonseed meal, 808 pounds of cottonseed hulls, and 121 pounds of mixed cowpea hay to make 100 pounds of increase in live weight. The cost of 100 pounds gain was $6.97. 5. The price realized for each feed when sold through the calves, and when the prices of the other feeds were fixed, was as follows: $46.32 a ton. Cottonseed meal ................ 13.24 a ton. Cottonseed hulls ................ Peavine hay ................... 56.61 a ton. 6. On March 29, 1911, the calves were shipped to New Orleans and sold for $5.55 per hundred-weight. Each calf netted a clear profit of $3.50. Part Ill. Wintering Calves and Fattening Them the Following Summer on Pasture. This work was carried on in cooperation with Cobb ands McMillian, of Sumter County, Alabama. As in the previous tests, these farmers furnished the cattle and the feed, and the Alabama Experiment Station and the Bureau of Animal Industry placed a trained man upon the farm to carry on the experimental work. One of the authors of this bulletin, Mr. W. F. Ward, was stationed on the farm and had personal supervision of the test. PLAN AND OBJECT OF THE WORK. The calves in this experiment were born during the spring of 1909. During the summer of 109 they were with theirmothers on a reasonably good pasture and received no particular attention, except being salted regularly. When fall arrived and the pastures were exhausted they were taken from. their mothers, weaned, tagged, dehorned, and the males castrated. They were then put up in an acre lot in which there was no grass, and fed all winter on a ration of cottonseed meal, corn chops, cottonseed hulls, and mixed alfalfa hay. The object was to give them sufficient feed to produce good gains all through the winter months, but not to fatten them for the market until the pasture was available the following spring. By the latter part of March, 1910, sweet clover (Melilotus) had appeared, so the calves were changed from the winter feed to this pasture and fed some cottonseed cake and alfalfa hay in addition. They were kept upon this pasture until June 22, 1910, when they were sold. During the latter part of the grazing season there was some Japan clover (Lespedeza) and Bermuda in the pasture. During all this time the calves. were given a small daily feed of cottonseed cake along with, the pasture. The object of the work was to determine the profit, if any, in-v pilani. TH~E CALVES. T]W icl 34cal\ c, n<( in tlI II tctI r a (.,I ccii gral2 :i 112 nif themi ~ a; pulr2 brid i. it112rjcrlt\th tt, tltreti -c ftitli .. f \li(2rhlecI1 \iigii. illcc XXlwi 'curt ciltlntl fr n III (n-half X (21r2 The. n1(2lilji jcifr, cit ofl the( Calves XX 1kl I Iecfi -tI, ( w Sititibh )1-n rase tm 1i tlhe1( farmi ulk 1of2lXX fea 11 c the cspc imicmntal tteX (2( ali( N\as~ Ii11c ne11 ighblrs ilk themn butt atl-i ltrchala ii n tf the expet(riment1. ll tibefore the2 in- As 1b firue tattl, tlii hail all I )G(I. lar-cr2 11111 Ifu thecir agc, thcv2 11han1 ttcfc bit if liii the ("i, altligl1 t11\ Mie \t thec a'cr rac cillX(2 at(1ci2( Statei. ttaiI tlhe laglil- tf the( XX irk their \\ihlt XS(i ii cilbI. PARTl IIll. P'icture taken it htiginnilng itf te. D~Cccni 3. 19(lt9.At (lii.tiOnt tie cali ts 5 *-eatl 38, poundscti ini Ws ight tatd 55 ti ftcm bl to 8mnthls oldl. The INc'sscit (cl tltioughi the 55 inttr ot at rationi oft cottonite ti tal, coitrnt ctops, cotttonseed hlls indl mlixedt .illlfa, ltli. It cOst 5111.911to ftedt Cclh calf ftiti Decembert ,1, 19119 MachI 21, 1911. Thley to 4 is ciragedl 512 pouinds in Is ight Macii cl. 11, sio tmtde goodtcglin, dutin thei cold (I jg mothtls. \t lht i sp)rint: camfl theCN Ws rc tttrned ito at pa~sture andt fcd cottoniseed IE!I)D ANDi M ANAG;EMENT. I ccc nlir 3, 1IU'( i the cltx cl ,1 at thr pXY~~l~ced2 theicre ]()tt.i ini Il piitttcticiii ti cl ccih Mitcuh xxtrclii rin lig ai. a -gi~ c anii X ciri tffcrlctl amle nimaX il. ( lin the' al ixc date tIhec hinlr cf TIc i altc2l at1 rc(iilarif 111(21x al . ( , cleani, 214 fresh water was kept in trough all of the time. The hay racks and the feed bunks, or troughs, were all under shelter so-that the calves could eat in acomifortable place no matter how inclement the weather became. During the winter months they were fed twice daily, once early in the morning and again an hour or so before dark. When grass appeared in the spring (March 22, 1910), each calf was weighed and all turned upon the pasture to be fattened cn grass. While on pasture they were fed only once a day, and this was done about sun-down, or the cool part of the afternoon, so that all would come out to the feed troughs. The feed, which consisted of cottonseed cake and alfalfa hay, was not thrown upon the ground; the cake was placed in feed troughs situated at convenient places in the pastures, and the hay was fed from hay racks. When cattle are thus fed in properly constructed hay racks and troughs practically no feed is wasted. The pasture was not free from ticks, so the calves became slightly infested. However, they were dipped at irregular intervals and very few ticks appeared on them. No Texas fever cases developed. A good supply of water was afforded by a creek and an artificial pool. THE PASTURE. In the western part of Alabama sweet clover (Melilotus) appears earlier than any other pasture plant. In the spring of 1910 this clover pasture was ready for grazing by March 22, but it did not afford complete and satisfactory grazing at this early date. However, no hay was used to supplement the pasture until April 29, when a small allowance of freshly-cut alfalfa hay was added to the pasture and cake ration. Later on in the season the sweet clover died down, when Japan clover (Lespedeza), some Bermuda, and carpet grass constituted the main grazing plants. The pasture had been in cultivation the season of 1909 so did not furnish ample grazing as the grasses had not become thoroughly established. Still the calves made good and economical gains during the pasture season. The 34 animals were grazed upon a field which contained practically 100 acres. 215 CHARACTER AND PRICES OF FEEDS. Cottonseed meal, cottonseed cake, cottonseed hulls, corn chops and freshly-cut alfalfa hay were all used at various times throughout the test. The purchased feeds were charged against the calves at the market prices. Estimated prices, corresponding as nearly as possible to the market prices, were placed upon the two feeds which were grown upon the farm. The folloing prices were placed upon the feeds: Cottonseed meal..............$26.00 a ton. Cottonseed cake (broken) ....... 26.00 a ton. Cottonseed hulls................ 7.00 a ton. Corn .......................... 70 a bushel. Alfalfa hay ................... 15.00 a ton. 50 a month. Pasture (per head) ............. During the winter months a hay made up of a mixture of Johnson grass and alfalfa was fed, but that which, was fed along with the pasture was practically all freshly-cut alfalfa. The corn, which was grown on the farm, was used in the shape of corn chops, the shelled corn being run through a grinder and crushed into coarse meal. The cottonseed meal and the cottonseed cake were both purchased from a near-by oil mill. The cake had been broken into nut size and sacked; this had been done at the mill. All of the feeds were ofgood quality. DAILY RATIONS. As noted in the early part of this bulletin, young animals must be fed with a great deal of care and skill; they require. more care and attention than steers and oxen. These calves, were fed at practically the same hour each day, and received adefinite amount of feed. This daily allowance of feed was limited, and it was expected that the troughs would be clean within .anhour after each feeding. 216 TABLE 14.-Daily Feed for Each Calf for the Whole Period. (Dec. 3, 1909-June 22, 1910). DAILY RATION Periods Winter Period (December 3-March 24) Pasture Period (March 25-June 22) Pounds Pounds First 28 day)s 2.18 1.38 3.93 7.13 cottonseed meal corn chops mixed alfalfa hay cottonseed hulls 3.23 cottonseed cake Second 28 days 1.68 cottonseed meal 2.40 corn chops 3.85 cottonseed cake 1.59 alfalfa hay. 3.99 mixed alfalfa hay 7.23 cottonseed hulls. Third 28 days 1.38 1.07 3.82 9.39 1.48 .72 3.36 10.24 cottcnseed meal corn chops mixed alfalfa hay cottonseed hulls cottonseed meal corn chops mixed alfalfa hay cottonseed hulls 5.00 cottonseed cake 2.74 alfalfa hay Fourth 28 days Last 5 days: 5.00 cottonseed cake 2.74 alfalfa hay It will be seen that the calves did not get a heavy grain ration at any time. The first 28 days of the winter period each calf was given practically 3.5 pounds of grain each day; during the second period of 28 days, the quantity was raised to four ;pounds for each calf daily. This large amount, however, was :too expensive, so the grain part of the ration was reduced considerably during the third period of 28 days. The object was to get these calves through the winter as cheaply as possible, and still produce reasonable and steady gains. The pasture was looked forward to as the feed for making rapid and cheap gains, so the high-priced winter feeds were used as sparingly ;as possible. It will be seen later, however, that the calves -made satisfactory gains in the winter months. During the winter months a definite amount of cottonseed hulls was weighed out to the animals at each feed. It is seen that for the first 28 days, each calf ate 7.13 pounds of hulls 21; tlir. \ x\ hue ) 1111 ila. tile last 28 dili\ ttd ilt( u;ivu\ r iiid ti ,\te ha 10.24-i1A1111 nnk a fa h;iI-ll \\ as c aL l\ ll t fii adI ii litull e X ill vL tll l lilrct'\ t I t~ utll Veel 11114 tilenn Intliialfittl 1 1111(k daily. PAR I91 111. ric an 2t 1i\e thi22. T tiner tilt' of ca it Is l f a il i a ri ult t midd 5 (ti ithled4 Imttiici sea wertie .onepau ioi 'IS ittt kh le were M01 c iiiii - o",id a In2cith potrIti. Ti ,w clojsull1 8"e cal ct 51.61 oi 25.1911ii..u u nt .od tien the 'lest 14 \eg l e 62 Ipunl a ei'; nd I8 0 lax rot 1 I t h. liil itysldfi it r 5t 1-i ets 11 m( anl mad ii ali rr aItcitlea proi of \\h ll cal c, I 14 iie >e1 l. Ucse It w ill he flII11 that 4 the calvc eTh It \\tii llt .8 u~ 44centil, l1ill ie c-44 l er. 41T ' tJ' CoC) 1f cafes fall of> 190'I I...............$3.51) per cwt . \verale weighlt If cafixes D ecemellr .3. ]000........(4 p 1114-I itvxeraioe daily trltion from I )eecithct 3, ]')( )Mlarch 24, 1)10:........... I 8 ptmt, ci ottneed meal, 1.3 pounds.corn chlops, 8.49) poundf(s cottonse hul121 1111, 3.77 pounds mixed alfalfa hay. 224 Average weight of calves Mlarch 24, 1910.......512 pounds pounds Average daily gain during the winter Cost to make 100 pounds increase in live weight during the winter months...........................$8.63 Cost to feed each calf through the winter months.S10.9G" Total cost of calves, per hundred-weight, when pasture appeared in spriug, i\March 24, 1910..............4.79 Cost to make 100 pounds increase in live weight on pas$ 4.84............. ture ........................... Each ton of cottonseed cake was sold, by means of the 35.82 calves, for................................. Each ton of alfalfa hay was sold, by means of the calves, for........................................ Selling price of calves per hundred-weight on farm. $ 5.50 after 3 per cent. shrink ........................ Profit on each calf.............................$1.86 months. .1.13 Sumi,,t arv Statcments. 1. The calves used in this work were of a good grade They were from 7 to 8 months old when the test began. 1909-10 on cotton2. They were fed through the winter seed meal, corn chops, cottonseed hulls, and mixed hay. In the spring of 1910 the calves were put in a pasture and finished for the market on pasture, cottonseed cake, and alfalf a hay. 3. During the winter season (December 3, 1909-March 24,. 1910) the- calves made an average total gain of 126 pounds,. or an average daily gain of. 1.13 pounds. 4. During the pasture season (March 25, 1910-June 22,. 19 10) the calves made an average total gain of 119 pounds. or an average daily gain of 1.33 pounds. 5. During .the -winter season (December 3, 1909-March 24, 1910) 149 pounds of cottonseed meal, 123 pounds of corn chops, 754 pounds of hulls, and 335 pounds of hay, at a total~ cost of $8.63, were required to make 100 pounds of increase iii live weight. 6. During the pasture season (March 25, 1910-June 1910) 305 pounds of cottonseed cake and 116 pounds of of alfalfa 2, 224a alfalfa hay, at a total cost of $4.84, were required to make 100 pounds of increase in live weight. 7. Each ton of cottonseed cake was sold, by means of the calves, for $35.82 when the other feeds are valued as indicated in this bulletin. 8. Each ton of alfalfa hay was sold, by means of the calves, for $21.48 when the other feeds are valued as indicated in this bulletin: 9. The calves cost $3.50 per hundred-weight in the fall of 1909. It cost $10.90 to feed each calf from December 3, 1909 to March 24, 1910. By March 24, 1910, the calves had cost $4.79 + per hundred-weight. 10. On June 22, 1910, the calves sold on the farm for$5.50 per hundred-weight, after a 3 per cent. shrink. 11. A clear profit of $1.86 was made on each animal. Part IV. General Statements. While the calves in Parts I, II, and III were fattened in different ways and by different methods, all were raised and handled in the same manner up to the time of being-placed in the dry lots. All were born during the spring months and ran with their mothers on a reasonably good pasture during' their first summer; they ate nothing but mother's milk and pasture grasses during this time. When the pasture season closed, which was practically December 1 each year, the calves were weaned, dehorned, the males castrated, and all placed in feed lots to be fattened. At this time the different methods as outlined in the different Parts were introduced. In Part I the calves were divided into three lots and fattened upon -various feeds for the early spring market; in Part II the calves were all fed in the same lot and finished for the early spring market on cottonseed meal, cottonseed hulls, and peavine hay; in Part III they were carried through their first winter on a ration slightly below a full feed and fattened the following summer on pasture supplemented by cottonseed cake and alfalfa hay. As a matter of fact, the winter feeding should have been inaugurated before December 1, as the calves lost some of their calf-fat, due to short pastures and decreased milk supply, before the feeding periods began. In farm practice it would be wise either to begin the winter feeding by November 1 or to have an oat or rye pasture for the young animals to graze upon after the permanent pastures are killed by frost. To feed calves as these were fed it is best to have them born as early as possible in the spring. This gives them an opportunity to attain a reasonable size and age by the time they are ready for sale the following spring or early summer. The southern markets prefer larger carcasses than the ones obtained from these calves. In some sections of America, where the cows must be housed during the winter months, it is more de- 224c sirable to have the calves born in the fall of the year, as the farmer has more time to care for the small animals during the winter than during the summer months, and too, the calves are weaned at the season-spring-when their growth is least retarded, but in the South, where range conditions yet obtain, to have the calves come in the fall would involve the risk of losing both the mothers and the offspring. The calves in Part I were sold March 17, those in Part II March 29, while those in Part III were fattened on pasture during the latter part of the feeding period and not disposed of.until June 22. The calves in Part I and IIwere practically one year old when sold, while those in Part III were from fourteen to sixteen months of age at the time of slaughter. As stated in the introduction, there are some advantages in selling calves at an early age. On the other hand, the farmer experiences difficulties in feeding young animals which are not encountered in feeding old and mature animals. In the first place, it would seldom, or never, pay to finish a poor grade of young calves for the market as our markets sharply discriminate against young animals which carry a predominance of Jersey or scrub blood. In the second place, the farmer who feeds young animals of any kind must be a careful and watchful feeder. An old animal may be fed and handled carelessly and satisfactory results still be obtained, but not so with the young animal. A single case of over-feeding may so derange the intestinal track of the young animal that further development is impossible. But the preceding: tests indicate that excellent profits may be made on calves when they are fed properly, handled carefully, and sold in a business-like way. In Part I a clear profit of $1.84, $2.25, and $1.48 was realized on each calf in their respective lots; in Part II, where nothing was fed except cottonseed meal, cottonseed hulls and peavine hay, a profit of $3,50 was realized on each animal; and in Part III, where the animals were fed a light ration of grain and hay throughout the winter months and finally finished on pasture, $1.86 profit was realized on each calf. The reader..should understand that these different experiments are not directly comparable but they do,. in a general 224d -way, teach us some lessons. The difference in profits between ,the calves in Parts I and II was due largely to the selling price; those in Part II simply sold to greater advantage. This difference in profits in favor of the calves in Part II was not due to the fact that they made gains more economically than -those in Part I. On the contrary, the calves in Part I made 100 pounds of gain for $6.22, $6.19, and $6.83 in the -respective lots, while the same gain cost $6.97 in PartII. While the calves in Part II were a cheaper grade than those in Part 1 (the calves in Part II were valued at 3 cents a -pound when the test began, while those in Part I were valued at 31/2 cents a pound) still they sold for practically the same -price when placed on the market; there was a difference of -one-half a cent a pound in favor of the calves in Part II. The -calves in Part I were sold on the Cincinnati market, while the ones in Part II were shipped to New Orleans. At the present time, and, in fact, for some years past, both cattle and hogs have been selling for better prices on the southern than on the northern markets. While the calves in Part III sold for a better price than those in the other tests, still they were not as profitable as some of the others. The selling price alone does not deter-mine the final profit; other factors must be considered. It is seen that the winter gains in this test were expensive, costing $8.63 to make 100 pounds. While the cost of the subsepasture gains was small as compared to the winter gains they were not sufficiently clheap to overcome the preceding high-priced gains and thereby make a profit that was entirely satisfactory. Notwithstanding the fact that a profit was made on these calves, the authors are of the opinion that -a greater profit would have been made if they had been fed more liberally during the winter months and sold in March or April instead of in June. The expensive winter gains were due to the fact that the animals were held below a full ration; the nearer the feeder approaches a mere maintenance ration the more expensive the gains. If the calves had been given a full feed, or almost a full- feed, during the winter months, their gains would have been considerably greater than they were and at the same time more economical. The test, however, does illustrate the value of pastures for making cheap gains. -quent 224e This experimental work is being continued, but at the ~resent time the following general conclusions, based on the -work already done, can be drawn: 1. A farmer may expect to obtain a reasonable profit on -- calves when he raises and fattens them on his farm and eef .:sells them when they are twelve to fourteen months old. "That is, the farmer who feeds his corn and hay to these young .animals can realize more on these raw farm products, when sold through the calves, than when sold as corn or hay. At the same time a large amount of manure is made on the farm to enrich the soil. 2. In the South, at least in I\labama at the present time, the calves should be born during the early spring months. 3. The southern feeder has the choice of many different feeds suitable for fattening calves. With reference to the -part feeds reported in this bulletin the following conclusions are warranted: A. When fattening calves, it pays to feed a ration made up of one-third corn-and-cob meal and two-thirds cottonseed meal when corn is valued at 70 cents a bushel and meal at $26.00 .a ton. B. It is not profitable for two-thirds of the concentrated of the ration to be composed of corn-and-cob meal when the feeds are valued as above. C. Young calves can be finished for the market at a profit on cottonseed meal, cottonseed hulls, and peavine hay, but it is more profitable to introduce corn-and-cob-meal to take the place of part of the cottonseed meal. 4. When shall the calves be sold? The tests seem to indi cate that it is more profitable to feed a heavy ration and sell the calves at the end of the winter months, when the prices are normally high, than to hold them until the early summer months. Light winter feeding goes hand in hand with expensive gains; while the subsequent pasture gains are made more cheaply than the winter gains, they are not made econoniiically enough to overcome, or counteract, the preceding .high-priced slowly-made winter gains, together with the normal depreciation in the value of cattle from March or _April to June or July.