rot vey ? THE RELATIVE VALUES OF CORN AND BARLEY FOR MUTTON AND PORK PRODUCTION. THESIS FOR THE DEGREE OF M.S. q Herbert E. Drew. ora 1917. THESIS 96032 THE RELATIVE VALUES OF CORN AND BARLEY FOR MUTTON AND PORK PRODUCTION. PART I. The Relative Values of Corn and Barley for Mutton Production. Introduction . ....... el Outline of Experiment. ... .1l Feeding Periods January 7 - February 4. .7 February 4 - March 4.. . ll March 4 - April 1... .15 Summary - . - - 2 «© © « « « lO PART II. The Relative Values of Corn and Barley for Pork Production. Introduction ....--.. £8 Outline of Experiment. .. . 28 Feeding Periods January 30 - February 27 353 February 27 - March 27. .38 March 27 - April 24... .41 April 24 - May 8 ... .46 summary - « «© «© «© © «© « « « 49 PART I. THE RELATIVE VALUES OF CORN AND BARLEY FOR MUTTON PRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION. Owing to the fact that barley may be grown in some localities in which it is impossible to grow corn, and hence may be available for fattening lambs, when corn is not, this experiment was undertaken to see if barley may not be as satisfactory a grain for fattening lambs as is corn. An effort was also made to find as economical a ration as possible, and to this end a portion of the grain in both the corn and barley rations was replaced by old process lin- seed meal, and the necessary amoung of oat straw replaced alfalfa, to balance the rations. OUTLINE OF EXPERIMENT. Twenty lambs were divided into four lots as nearly equal in weight and quality as possible, and all lots were fed under exactly edentical conditions, except as regards feeds. All lots were allowed a twelve day preliminary feed- ing period to accustom them to the feeds. The feeding period proper extended over a period of eighty-four days, the lambs being slaughtered at the end of that time. The entire feeding period was divided into three feeding periods of four weeks each at the end of which time the lambs were weighed, the results of each feeding period being based upon these weights. ~2- In all cases the total amounts of grain and roughage fed to each pen per day were the same, except where some was. rejected, but varied in proportions and kind as shown by the following. Ration I consisted of corn and alfalfa and was used as a check lot. The lambs in this lot averaged 63 pounds when the experiment was started January 7, after a twelve day preliminary feeding period at the beginning of which they averaged 61.86 pounds per head. At this time they were receiving one pound of corn and 1.75 pounds of alfalfa per head per day, the ration have a nutritive ratio of 1:5.78. This ration was fed until February 18, when the ration was gradually increased until the lambs were receiv- ing 1.25 pounds of corn and 1.75 pounds of alfalfa per head per day; the nutritive ratio of this ration being 1:6.04. This ration was fed until the end of the experiment, April lst. The lambs in Lot II averaged 63.34 pounds when started on the lée-day preliminary feeding period, and 66 pounds when the experiment was started, January 7. They received at this time .9 pounds corn, -1 pound old process linseed meal, 1.75 pounds alfalfa and .5 pounds oat straw per head per day. This ration had a nutritive ratio of 1:5.8 and was fed until February 18th, after which date it was gradually increased until each lamb received 1.15 pounds corn, .1 old process linseed meal, 1.45 pounds alfalfa and .3 oat straw, per day. This ration had a nutritive ratio of 1:6.04, and was fed un- til April lst. when the experiment ended. The results obtained from Rations I and II would show -3- the effect of substituting .1 pound old process linseed meal for an equal amount of corn, this permitting .3 pounds of alfalfa to be replaced in the ration by .3 pounds of oat straw; the nutritive ratio remaining the same. | The lambs in Lot III averaged 57.86 pounds when started on the preliminary feeding period and 57.86 pounds at the beginning of the experiment proper. At this time they were receiving .9 pounds barley, .1 pound old process linseed meal, 1.25 pounds alfalfa, and .5 oat straw per head per day, the ration having a nutritive ratio of 1:5.77. This ration was fed until February 18th, after this date it was gradually increased until the lambs were receiving 1.15 pounds barley, -l old process linseed meal, 1-15 pounds alfalfa and .6 oat straw, per head per day at the end of three days. This ration had a nutritive ratio of 1:6.1 and was fed until the end of the experiment. The same amount of barley was fed in this ration as corn in ration II, the linseed meal remained the same, but it was possible on account of the higher protein and carbo- hydrate content of the barley to replace more of the alfalfa with straw in the ration containing the barley than in that containing the corn, keeping the nutritive ratio the same. Therefore, if these rations should give equally good results, it is evident that the one containing the barley would be the more economical providing barley and corn were valued at the game. price. Ration IV was to test the possibility of further sub- stituting old process linseed meal for barley and oat straw ~4- for alfalfa. The lambs of this lot averaged 62.2 pounds when started on the preliminary feeding period and 65.2 pounds when the experiment proper was started; at this time they were getting .8 pound barley, .2 pound old pro- cess linseed meal, 1 pound alfalfa, and .75 pound oat straw per head per day. This ration had a nutritive ratio of 1:5.71 and was fed until February 18th, when it was grad- ually increased to 1.05 pounds barley, .2 pounds linseed meal, -9 pounds alfalfa and .85 pound oat straw per head per day, having a nutritive ratio of 1:6.1. This ration was fed until April lst, when the experiment ended. It will be seen that by substituting .2 pound lin- seed meal for an equal amount of barley, it was possible to replace .85 pound of alfalfa with oat straw, as compared with a ration of barley and alfalfa only. Therefore, if these two rations gave equally good results there would evidently be a marked saving brought about by feeding Ration IV, tho both supply the same amount of nutrients in the same ratio. All lambs used in the experiment were crosses between a Southdown buck and Montana range ewes, except three which were crosses between a Southdown buck and Shropshire ewes. All were very good lambs and invery good condition, when the experiment started. When started on the preliminary feeding they had been receiving 1 pound of salvage oats per head per day and what clover hay they would clean up in a reasonable time. They did not take readily to the new feeds offered them. At first all refused to eat the alfalfa but gradually came to -5- like it very well. Those receiving straw did not care for it at first, especially Lot IV which received the largest proportion of it, but all gradually began to eat it and by January lst all were cleaning up their roughage readily. Lot I which received only corn and alfalfa were the readiest to go off feed, and on several occasions corn was weighed back from their trough. The ration of Lot III, barley, linseed meal, alfalfa and oat straw was the one most relished, and after they be- came accustomed to the feeds was always eaten up clean. One lamb in Pen III started to scour badly on January end, due to worms and tho drenched several times with gaso- line never recovered and was removed from the pen March 2nd, weighing 50 pounds. There was one case of scouring in Pen IV, also due to worms, but aside from that already mentioned there were no other cases. All cases were drenched with gasoline. The lambs were divided into the four lots, receiving their respective rations as already explained, each lot con- sisting of five lambs. The lambs were shut in small pens fn the sheep barn thruout the entire experiment. They were fed morning and evening, the ration being divided equally between the two feeds. Thruout the coldest periods they received water but once a day, the rest of the time receiv- ing it twice a day. The grain was fed in a flat-bottomed trough about fourteen inches above the floor and very little was wasted. The hay was fed in an ordinary slanting rack over the grain trough, and tho some hay was pulled out and -6- wasted the loss was comparatively small. Salt was fed two .or three times a week, the object being to keep it before them at all times. The corn and barley were both fed whole; the old pro- cess linseed meal was fed because the péa size cake was not available. Where alfalfa and straw were fed, the two were mixed before being put into the rack for it was found that when fed otherwise the alfalfa was eaten and the straw was left. COMPOSITION OF FEEDS. All feeds used were of good quality, being especially bright and clean and analysed as follows: “Carbohydrates % Water % Ash % Crude Fibre N Free &@ Fat Extract Corn 11.73 1.42 9.88 2e71 69.39 4.87 Barley 9.412 1.93 (12.43 5. 69.38 1.8357 Old Process Linseed Meal °°? S°175 53-64 7.42 354.29 6.182 Alfalfa 6.127 6.48 15.1 2-81 41.75 2.324 Oat Straw 6.52 6.1 5-82 35.89 45.5 2.17 In figuring the cost of production, the following fig-e ures were used: Corn... .- + .- »$1.60 per cwt. Barley ......2.15 " " Alfalfa. ... . .12.00 per ton. Oat straw. .... 7.00 " " Old Process Lin- seed Meal. ... . 2.50 per cwt. -7- The prices are those paid for the feeds in Lansing on December lst. with the exception of that for carn which is the Chicago quotation for December lst. plus 5¢ per bushel for freight. FEEDING PERIOD. Januery 7 - February.4. Daily Ration. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 1# Corn. o OH Corn. o OF Barley . BF Barley. 1.75 Alfalfa -l# Linseed Meal. -1l# Linseed .o# Linseed Nutritive Meal. Meal. Ratio 1:5.7 1.454 Alfalfa 1.25% Alfalfa 1.4% Alfalfa. ~-o¢ Oat Straw .5# Oat Straw .75# Oat Straw. Nutritive Nutritive Nutritive Ratio 1:5.8 Ratio 1:5.77 Ratio 1:55.71 The rations supplied the same amounts of concentrates and roughages to each pen, namely 1 pound of concentrates and 1.75 pounds of roughage per head per day. The nutritive ratios of the respective lots were very nearly the same as shown by the above table; the narrowest being 1:5.71, and the widest 1:5.8, the others being within these two limits. Digestible Nutrients per Pen per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen If. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 12.5 11.386 12.43 12.45 Crude Protein 1.307 1.217 1.21 1.20 Carbohydrates 6.88 6.42 6.59 6.33 Fat 2935 ©2090 ~17 ~ 199 -8- The digestible nutrients consumed by the various pens varied somewhat more than they would had the feed been eaten up clean. Some of the feed was rejected by the lambs, this amount being subtracted from the amount fed. The lambs were not entirely accustomed to the feeds at the beginning of this period, tho they were all eating their feeds up clean by the end of this period, except Pen I which would refuse some of their feed occasionally. Digestible Nutrients per Head per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen IT. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 2.5 2.37 2.48 2.49 Crude Protein .261 024 024 024 Carbohydrates 1.576 1.28 1.51 1.266 Fat -058 -O51 034 -0398 The digestible nutrients consumed by each lamb per day varied in the same proportion for the lambs in each lot as did the digestible nutrients per pen per day, depending upon the amount of food rejected. GAINS. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Total Gain 47.5 46.5 3525 40. Average Gain per Head per Day .339 eS0L e255 °285 The lambs of all lots made larger gains during this period than during any other. Pen I gained 47.5 pounds, the largest gain made by any pen during any feeding period. Pen II was second, gaining 46.5 pounds in 28 days. Pen IV was third, producing 40 pounds; and Pen II[was last, gaining -9- 55-5 pounds. The lots ranked in the same order as regards average daily gain per head. During this period the lambs receiving alfalfa and corn only made practically the same gains as those receiving corn, linseed meal, alfalfa and oat straw. They averaged .044 pounds per head per day more than those receiving the barley, linseed meal, alfalfa and oat straw ration in which 20% of the barley was replaced by oat straw, and they averaged .086 pounds per head per day more than the lot in which 10% of the barley was replaced by linseed meal and 18% of the alfalfa by oat straw. As regards the gains of Lots II and III in which corn and barley were compared, supplimented with equal amounts of linseed meal and enough alfalfa and oat straw to balance the respective rations, the corn fed lot averaged .079 pounds per head per day more than did the berisy fed lot. Feed per Pound Gain. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. | 2.88# Corn. 2.708# Corn. 3-61# Barley 2.79# Barley 5.127 Alfalfa -301# Linseed -59# Linseed -598 Linseed Meal. Meal. Meal. 4.3347 Alfalfa 4.47# Alfalfa 5.996 Alfalfa -904# Oat Straw 1.97# Oat Straw 2.59# Oat Straw During this, the first of the three fattening periods 2.88 pounds of corn and §.12 pounds of alfalfa proved equal to 2.708 pounds of corn and .301 pounds of linseed meal, sup- plemented with 4.335 pounds of alfalfa and .904 pounds of oat straw or to 3.61 pounds of barley and .39 pounds linseed meal fed with 4.47 pounds of alfalfa and 1.97 pounds of oat straw, ~-10- or to 2.79 pounds of barley and .598 pounds of linseed meal, fed with 3.995 pounds of alfalfa and 2.59 pounds of oat straw. Cost per Pound Gain. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 7.682 9.1872 12.102 10.762 The cost per pound gain was less during this period than during any other, due to the greatest gains being made dur- ing this period. Digestible Nutrients per Pound Gain. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry matter 7.57 6.82 9.82 8.71 Crude protein .77 72 2935 84 Carbohydrates 4.05 3.85 5.50 4.43 Fat 01711 ~152 134 2139 Nearly equal amounts of digestible nutrients were of- fered the various lots except that Pens III and IV receiv- ing barley received appreciably less fat than the corn fed lambs. The amount of digestible nutrients required per pound gain is therefore proportional to the gains produced. Pen I. l# Corn. 1.754 Alfalfa Nutritive Ration 1:5.75 Pen I. 1.25# Corn. 1.754 Alfalfa .1# Linseed Nutritive Ratio 1:6.04 1.45# Alfalfa -ll- FEEDING February 4 - March 4. Daily Ration. Feb. 4 - Feb. 18. Pen II. Pen IIilI. o Of Corn. -9# Barley ~1# Linseed -1# Linseed Meal. Meal. 1.454 Alfalfa. 1.25# Alfalfa. of Oat Straw .5# Oat Straw Nutritive Ratio 1:5.77 Nutritive Ratio 1:5.8 Daily Ration. Feb. 18 - Mar. 4. Pen II. Pen III. ~15# Corn. 1.157 Barley -l# Linseed Meal. Meal. 1.1547 Alfalfa -d# Oat Straw -64 Oat Straw Nutritive Ratio 1:6.1 Nutritive Ratio 1:6.04 PERIOD. Pen IV. -8# Barley -c# Linseed Meal. 1.# Alfalfa. -75# Oat Straw. Nutritive Ratio 1:5.71 Pen IV. 1.05# Barley -2# Linseed Meal. .9# Alfalfa -85# Oat Straw. Nutritive Ratio 1:6.1 The ration of each lot was changed in the middle of this feeding period, being widened as indicated. All of the lambs ate the increased ration readily except those of Pen I which were slow to eat it up clean. The change in rations was brought about gradually, starting February 18, the feed was gradually increased until the lambs were re- ceiving the wider ration in about five days, except those of Pen I which were a little slower to eat it. -12- Digestible Nutrients per Pen per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 13.10 13.07 13.01 12.22 Crude Protein 1.356 1.32 1.23 1.245 Carbohydrates 6.38 7.07 6.95 6.84 Fat 32 .288 .184 2214 There is a noticeable difference in the amounts of digestible nutrients consumed during this period by the dif- ferent pens. This is due to some pens being quicker to con- sume the heavier ration than others. Digestible Nutrients per Head per Day (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 2.62 2.61 22903 2264 Crude Protein 0271 264 246 248 Carbohydrates 1.26 1.416 1.390 1.567 Fat 064 ©0576 -0369 ~0429 The same variation is noted in this table as in the preceeding one, Pen I being notably low in carbohydrates and Pen III low in fat. Gains. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Total Gains 20.5 30.5 20.0 25.0 Average Gain per Head per Day .146 -218 e143 el79 The gains made during this period were appreciably less than those made during the first period. Pen I which made the greatest gain during the first period gained 10 pounds less than did Pen II which made the greatest gain. During ~13- this period corn and alfalfa alone produced almost exactly the same gains as the ration in which 10% of the barley was replaced by linseed meal and 18.7% of alfalfa by oat straw, both rations producing 4.5 pounds less gain than did the ration in which 20% of the barley was replaced by linseed meal and 48.7% of the alfalfa by oat straw. The ration in which 10% of the corn was replaced by linseed meal and 17.1% of the alfalfa was replaced by oat straw produced 10 pounds more gain than did the corn and alfalfa ration. Feed per Pound Gain. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 7.67# Corn. 4.96# Corn. 6.36# Barley 5.19# Barley 11.934 Alfalfa .422# Linseed .629#4 Linseed 1.114% Linseed Meal. Meal. Meal. 5.72# Alfalfa 7.467% Alfalfa 5.32# Alfalfa 1.377 Oat Straw3.36# Oat Straw 4.454% Oat Straw. Owing to the poor gains made during this period by all pens except No. II, the feed per pound gain was abnormal- ly high. In pen I, the check lot, it took 7.67 pounds corn and 11.93 pounds alfalfa to produce a pound of gain, or a little more than twice as much of both corn and alfalfa as was required to produce a pound of gain in the same lot dur- ing the first feeding period. Pen II required 4.96 pounds corn, e422 pounds linseed meal, 5.72 pounds alfalfa, and 1.37 pounds oat straw per each pound of gain, which is approx- imately one and one-half times as much as was required per pound of gain during the first feeding period. Pen III re- quired 6.36 pounds barley, -628 pounds linseed meal, 7.46 ~-14- pounds alfalfa and 35.36 pounds of oat straw per pound of gain during this period or nearly one and two-thirds times as much as was required during the last period. Pen IV required approximately one and three-fourths times as much feed to produce a pound of gain during this period as in the. former one, or 5.19 pounds of barley, 1.11 pounds linseed meal, 5.52 pounds alfalfa and 4.45 pounds of oat straw. Cost per Pound Gain. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 19.427 12.88¢ 20.882 18.66¢ It cost more to produce a pound of gain in each pen during this period than during any other, due to the relative- ly small gains made. A pound of gain in Pen III cost 20.88¢ followed closely by Pen I in which a pound of gain cost 19.427 and this in turn was closely followed by Pen IV with a cost of 18.665¢ per pound gain. Pen II, due to having made the largest gain, produced a pound of gain for 12.88¢ and tho this was the most economical produced by any pen during this period it was .7¢ in excess of the highest price required per pound gain by any pen during the preceding feeding period. Digestible Nutrients per Pound Gain. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen Iv. Dry Matter 17.81 11.89 18.30 14.80 Crude Protein 1.83 1.20 1.72 1.39 Carbohydrates 98.67 6.43 9.73 7.66 Fat 435 -261 »258 -239 The digestible nutrients consumed per pound gain pro- duced during this period were relatively high, bearing approx- ere Se eee ee se ~15- imately the same ratio to those required per pound gain during the preceding period, as the feed required per pound gain during this period, bears to the feed required per pound gain during that time. FEEDING PERIOD Daily Rations. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 1.25# Corn. 1.15% Corn. 1.15% Barley 1.0547 Barley 1.75# Alfalfa .1# Linseed . 1# Linseed .2# Linseed Meal. Meal. Neal. Nutritive 1.45# Alfalfa 1.15# Alfalfa Of Alfalfa. Ratio 1:6.04%4 ~3# Oat Straw .6# Oat Straw -85# Oat Straw Nutritive Nutritive Nutritive Ratio 1:6.0% Ratio 1:6.1 Ratio 1:6.1 The ration, as indicated above is the same as that fed during the last part of the preceding feeding period. The lambs were well accustomed to the ration by the time this period started and were eating it up clean, except that Pen I refused some of their corn occasionally. Digestible Nutrients per Pen per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 12.98 13.68 11.17 14.03 Crude Protein 1.33 1.38 1.02 1.28 Carbohydrates 7.23 7.50 5.94 7.38 Fat 052 2558 ~162 20 ~16- There were but four lambs in Pen III during this period which accounts for the difference in digestible nutrients con- sumed by this pen and the others. Pen I refused part of their feed, chiefly corn, and so lowered the amount of nutrients consumed. Digestible Nutrients per Head per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 2.59 2.736 2.51 2.806 Crude Protein .26 .276 »228 .256 Carbohydrates 1.450 1.5 1.336 1.476 Fat 20645 20717 0363 -026 The digestible nutrients consumed per day per head by the lambs of the different lots varied in the same ratio as did the digestible nutrients consumed per pen per day, and for the same reason. Gains. (Pounds. ) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Total Gain o7 30 (4 lambs) 26 35 Average Gain per Head per Day .193 0214 232 025 The gains made during this period were much better than those produced during the preceding period, tho con- siderably lower than those produced during the first period. The two barley fed pens made the best gains during this period, Pen IV produced 35 pounds gain and Pen III 26 pounds ‘gain but there were only four lambs in Pen III during this period so the gain per head per day was but .018 pounds less -17- for this pen than for Pen IV. Pen II, in which part of the corn and alfalfa were replaced by linseed meal and oat straw made the third largest gain averaging .214 pounds per head per day, or .036 pounds per day less than Pen IV which made the largest gain. Pen I, the check lot receiving corn and alfalfa, made the poorest gain, averaging .067 pounds per day less than Pen IV. Pens II and III received equal amounts of corn and barley respectively supplemented with linseed meal, alfalfa and oat straw, and made almost identical gains, tho there were .018 pounds of gain per head per day in favor of the barley fed lot. Feed per Pound Gain. Pen I.. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 6.01# Corn. 5.35# Corn. 7.62# Barley 4.357 Barley 8.724 Alfalfa .466# Linseed .42# Linseed .42# Linseed Meal. Meal. Meal. 6.72# Alfalfa 4.62# Alfalfa 3.6# Alfalfa 1.394% Oat Straw2.55# Oat Straw 3.39% Oat Straw. During this period it required more feed to produce a pound of gain in various lots than it did during the first feeding period, but not as much as was required during the second period. There were required 6.01 pounds of corn and 8.72 pounds of alfalfa to produce a pound of gain in Pen I as compared to 8.35 pounds of oat straw, or the ration in which 8% of the corn was replaced by linseed meal, and 17.1% of the alfalfa was replaced by linseed meal. In pen III, in which 8% of the barley was replaced by linseed meal and 34% of the alfalfa was replaced by oat straw, it required 4.62 -18- of barley, 42 pounds linseed meal, 4.62 pounds alfalfa and 2-55 pounds of oat straw to produce a pound of gain, while in Pen IV, which was fed the ration in which 16% of the barley was replaced by alfalfa and 48.5% of the alfalfa was replaced by oat straw, there were required 4.35 pounds of barley, .79 pounds of linseed meal, 3.6 pounds of alfalfa and 3.39 pounds of oat straw. Cost per Pound Gain. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. : Pen IV. 14.8472 14.2372 14.647 14.762 The cost per pound of gain for the four pens was very nearly the same for this period. Pen II made the most econ- omical gains, costing 14.23¢ per pound, which is .0Ol¢ more than the most costly gain per pound, made by Pen IV. Pers III and IV both made a larger gain per head per day than did Pen FI and so required less feed per pound of gain, but the difference in price between the corn and barley more than offset this difference. Digestible Nutrients per Pound Gain. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 13.49 12.76 12.06 11.22 Crude Protein 1.38 1.29 1.11 1.024 Carbohydrates 17.52 6.99 6.41 5.90 Fat 25S 0504 e174 ~ 184 -1l9- SUMMARY. Average Daily Ration. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 1.06# Corn. 1.01# Corn. 1.01# Barley -917# Barley 1.69% Alfalfa .1 Linseed ~1# Linseed -2# Linseed Meal. Meal. Meal. 1.44 Alfalfa 1.184% Alfalfa ~952# alfalfa of Oat Straw .54# Oat Straw .79# Oat Straw It will be seen from the above that Pen I ate less con- centrates per day, on the average than any other pen by .05 pounds all the rest eating the same amount, namely 1.11 pounds per day. The roughage per head per day averaged nearly the Same. Total Feed Consumed. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 445# Corn. 425# Corn. 3407 Barley 385# Barley 710# Alfalfa 42# Linseed 32.8 Linseed 84# Linseed Meal. Meal. Meal. 6007 Alfalfa 3957 Alfalfa 400# Alfalfa. 1257 Oat Straw 181.44# Oat Straw 330# Oat Straw Tho some feed was rejected occasionally by the various pens, the difference in amount eaten by the pens is scarce- ly noticeable bearing in mind that there were only four lambs in Pen III. Total Digestible Nutrients. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 1049.31 1093.78 1016.28 1115.3 Crude Protein 109.26 110.4 115.26 105.81 -20- (Pen TI) (Pen IT) (Pen III) (Pen IV) Carbohydrates 584.81 589.71 536.48 581.55 Fat 25-52 27.56 14.68 18.24 Digestible Nutrients per Pen per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 12.36 13.02 12.10 13.17 Crude Protein 1.30 1.514 1.36 1.26 Carbohydrates 6.96 7.02 6.59 6.92 Fat .303 .328 1.750 .216 Digestible Nutrients per Head per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 2.472 2.604 2.42 2.634 Crude Protein 26 -2628 22 252 Carbohydrates 1.392 1.404 1.278 1.384 Fat .0606 0656 035 0432 As the above tables show, practically the same amount of all nutrients were supplied each lot. The fat in the rations of Pen II and Pen III was noticeably lower than that of the other two pens, otherwise they are very similar in amount. Gains. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Total Gain 95 107 (4 lambs) 80.5 105 Average Gain per Head 19 21.4 20.1 21 Average Gain per Head per Day .266 »252 239 025 As regards total gains, Pen II is first with a gain of 107 pounds. Pens II and IV gained almost exactly the same ~-21- | amount per head per day, there being a difference of but ~0O02 pound head per day difference in favor of Pen II, in- dicating that the barley ration in which 18.1% of the barley is replaced by linseed meal, and 45.4% of the alfalfa is re- placed by oat straw, is equal to the corn ration in which 9.01% of corn is replaced by linseed meal and 17.1% of the alfalfa is replaced by oat straw. The four lambs in Pen III made a total gain of 80.5 pounds which is .013 pounds per head per day less than that made by Pen II which made the largest gain. Pen I made the smallest total gain, and gain per head per day, averaging .026 pounds less than the lambs of Pen II. In this trial, the barley ration in which the most linseed meal and oat straw was fed proved superior to the corn and alfalfa ration and equal to the corn ration in which linseed meal and oat straw was fed, and slightly superior to the barley ration in which the lesser amounts of linseed meal and straw were contained. As regards the corn rations, the one containing the linseed meal and straw was superior to the one not containing these feeds. Feed per Pound Gain. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 4.68# Corn. 3.97# Corn. 4.25# Barley. 3.714 Barley. 7.46# Alfalfa .392# Linseed 44 Linseed .857 Linseed Meal. Meal. Meal. 5.6# Alfalfa 4.934 Alfalfa 3.8% Alfalfa 1.16# Oat Straw 2.26# Oat straw3.14# Oat Straw. Owing to the fact that each pen consumed almost the Same amounts of feed per head per day and made gains close- ly approximating each other, the amounts of feed required per ~22- pound gain did not vary much, tho there is a slight variation, in proportion to the gains made. Digestible Nutrients per Pound Gain. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 11.021 10.22 10.15 10.42 Protein 1.15 1.03 1.15 1.007 Carbohydrates 5-61 5.51 5.46 5.54 Fat 27 26 016 017 As the amounts of digestible nutrients furnished each lamb per day was nearly the same, and as the gains for the various lots so closely approximated each other, the amount of digestible nutrients required per pound gain for the different lots varied but little. What variation there is is in the same proportion as exists between the total gains of the various lots. Financial Statement. Lot I. Cost: 315 pounds live weight © $.105 $33.075 445 pounds corn @ .016 7.12 710 pounds alfalfa @ .006 4.26 _. $44.445 Income : 410 pounds live weight @ $.145 : $59.45 Total Income $59.45 Total Cost 44.45 Net Profit $15.00 Profit per Head 43.00 —_— oe nee ee - ~23. As will be seen from this, the lambs were valued at 10.5¢ per pound at the beginning of the experiment and 14.5¢ per pound at the close, making a margin of 4¢ per pound in- creased value per pound. In order that the lambs of this lot might break even a margin of 0.34¢ per pound would have been required. Cost: 330 pounds 425 pounds 42 pounds 600 pounds 125 pounds Income : 437 pounds live weight corn linseed meal alfalfa oat straw live weight Total income Total cost Net profit Profit per Head Lot II. @ $.105 $34.55 @ .016 6.80 @ .025 1.05 @ .006 3.60 ® .0035 044 — 46eNS @ $14.5 $63.365 $62 .365 46.73 $16.63 $3 .326 The lambs of this lot would have required a margin of 0.19¢ per pound increased value, between the beginning and the close of the experiment, in order to pay for their feed. Lot III. Cost: 249.5 pounds live weight @ $.105 $26.20 340 pounds barley @ .0215 751 $33.51 ~24~ (Forward ) $33.51 32.8 pounds linseed meal @$ .025 - 82 395 pounds alfalfa @ .006 2.37 © 181.44 pounds oat straw ©0035 -655 $37.335 The lambs of this lot required a margin of .83¢ per pound increased value in order to pay expenses. Income : 330 pounds live weight @$.145 $47.85 Total income $47.85 Total cost 572335 Net profit $10.515 Profit per Head $2.629 Lot IV. Cost: 326 pounds live weight @ $.105 $34.23 385 pounds barley @ .0215 8.28 84 pounds linseed meal @® .025 2.10 400 pounds alfalfa @ .006 2.40 330 pounds straw @ .0035 1.16 $48.17 Income : | 431 live weight @ 14.5 $62.49 Total income $62.49 Total cost 48.17 Net profit $14.32 Profit per head $ 2.86 ~25- This pen required a margin of .53¢ per pound between the buying and selling price in order to pay expenses. As is shown by the above statement, Lot I, the check lot receiving corn and alfalfa only, returned a net profit of $3.00 per head, being second to Lot II; the other corn fed lot, which received some linseed meal and oat straw in addition to corn and barley, and returned a net profit of $3.26 per head, the greatest net profit produced by any lot. Lot III made the poorest return per head, being .37¢ per haad behind the check lot, and 63¢ per head behind Pen II, which received the same amount of corn per head per day as Pen III received barley, both grains being supplemented with linseed meal, alfalfa, and oat straw. Pen IV which received the barley ration in which the largest amount of barley and alfalfa were replaced by linseed meal and oat straw, return- ed a net profit per head of $2.86, being 14¢ per head be- hind Pen I, 40¢ per head behind Pen II and .23¢ per head ahead of Pen III which received the ration in which the smaller substitution of linseed meal and oat straw was effected. The net profit per head, produced during this feeding period, indicate that where there is a difference in price between barley and corn as great as prevailed while this experiment was carried on, the best returns may be expected from a ration in which the concentrates consists of corn, lin- seed meal, alfalfa and oat straw, averaging 10 parts corn, to l part linseed meal and 15 parts alfalfa to 3 parts oat straw. The next best returns were received from a ration of corn and alfalfa, while the barley ration in which the con- ~26= centrates were fed in proportion of nine parts barley to two parts linseed meal and the roughage in the proportion of ap- proximately eight parts oat straw to nine and one-half parts alfalfa gave better returns than the barley ration in which there were ten parts barley to one part linseed meal and twelve parts alfalfa to five and one-half parts oat straw, tho both barley rations returned a less profit per head than did ths corn ration. However, both barley rations produced better gains per head than did corn and alfalfa alone and nearly the same gains as the corn ration in which linseed meal and oat straw was fed, tho there was a slight advantage in favor of the corn ration. Had the barley cost the same per cwt. as the corn, ithe profit on Pen III would have been $3.10 per head or .10¢ per head more than Pen I, and .22¢ per head less than Pen II. The profit per head for Pen IV would have been $3.29 or only 3¢ per head less than that for Pen II which made the greatest returns per head. These figures obtained in this trial in- dicate that when barley and corn cost the same per cwt. there is very little difference in net profit per head, to be expected from any of the rations considered, tho when straw is fed in conjunction with the feeds that it was fed with here it has a feeding value of $7.00 per ton when the prices of lambs are as here quoted. Not only was this price real- ized from oat straw by feeding it in this trial but lambs fed on it kept in a more thrifty condition and consumed a larger amount of feed and made larger gains in a given period than did lambs receiving no oat straw. This was shown by the 27 = smaller total gains produced by the lambs of Pen I, and their readiness to go off feed. PART II. THE RELATIVE VALUES OF CORN AND BARLEY FOR PORK PRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION. This experiment was undertaken to determine as far as possible the comparative values of corn and barley when fed in conjunction with linseed meal and alfalfa hay. Alfalfa is coming more and more to be recognized as a feed for swine, usually being chopped up and wet before be- ing fed. Fed in this way alfalfa readily finds a place in the ration of the breeding stock, and is often used to help carry pigs thru the winter until they can be put on spring pasture. In this trial an effort was made to see if it might not well find a place in the ration of growing fattening swine. An effort was also made to find the most economical ration for pork production, and with this end in view the different rations namely barley and alfalfa; barley, old process linseed meal and alfalfa; corn, barley, old process linseed meal and alfalfa; and corn, barley and old process linseed meal, were tried. OUTLINE OF EX PERIMENT. Twenty pigs were divided into four lots, as nearly equal in weight as possible, and all lots were fed under the same conditions. All were given a ten day preliminary feeding period to get them accustomed to the feeds. ~29- The feeding period proper started January 350, and end- ed May 8, covering a period of 98 days. The entire period was divided into periods of four weeks each with the excep- tion of the last one, which was of two weeks duration. The pigs were weighed at the end of the feeding periods and the results for the different periods were based upon their re- spective weights at these times. The ration of each lot contained the same amounts of concentrates and alfalfa, as that of all others. This was kept constant except where the ration was increased or de- creased to suit the amount required by the different pens. Ration I consisted of barley and alfalfa. The five pigs of this lot weighed 249.6 pounds when the experiment was started January 350, after being on a preliminary feed- ing period of 10 days, during which time the five of them had gained 25.3 pounds. At the beginning of the experiment they were receiving 2.8 pounds barley and .7 pound alfalfa per head per day; this ration having a nutritive ration of 1:7.2. This ration was fed until March 16 when it was gradually increased until the animals were getting 3.2 pounds barley and .8 pounds alfalfa per head per day. This ration has a nutritive ratio of 1:7.2. It was fed until the close of the experiment, May 8. Included in this pen were three pigs that had been vaccinated for cholera just previous to being put on the preliminary feeding period, and developed a state of chronic cholera. These pigs were removed March 2, and three Berk- shires were put in their places. -230- The pigs of Lot II weighed 306.6 pounds on January 30, when the experiment was started. This was 22 pounds more than they had weighed on January 20, the beginning of the preliminary feeding period. The ration of this lot con- sisted of 2.45 pounds barley, -35 pounds linseed meal and -7 pounds alfalfa per head per day from January 30 to March 16, when it was gradually increased until each animal was receiv- ing 2.8 pounds barley, .4 pdunds linseed meal and .8 pounds alfalfa. The first ration had a nutritive ratio of 1:5.3 and the second ration a nutritive ratio of 1:5.59. The results obtained from Pens I and II would show then, the results of adding old process linseed meal toa ration of barley and alfalfa. In this case 12.3% of the barley was replaced by linseed meal or .35 pounds per head per day. Ration III consisted of 1.23 pounds corn, 1.23 pounds barley, -55 pounds linseed meal and .7 pound alfalfa. The five pigs of this lot weighed 556.6 pounds when the experi- ment was started, after being on a ten day preliminary feed- ing period, during which they had gained 26.1 pounds. This ration had a nutritive ratio of 1:6.0&. It was fed until March 16 when it was gradually increased until the animals were getting 1.6 pounds corn, 1.6 pounds barley, .45 pounds linseed meal and .8 pound alfalfa per head per day. This ration has a nutritive ratio of 1:6.05. It was fed until May 8, when the experiment closed. The results obtained from Pen III would show the re- sults of replacing one-half the barley in ration IT with corn, “-3l- thus giving a ration in which corn and barley were fed in equal amounts, together with linseed meal and alfalfa. Ration IV was used primarily as a check lot, being the same as Ration III except that the alfalfa was omitted; thus giving a ration in which corn and barley were fed in equal amounts, together with linseed meal. The pigs of this lot weighed 283 pounds when the experiment was started on January 20; the beginning of the preliminary feeding period they weighed 222.3 pounds, showing an increase in weight of 20.7 pounds at the end of ten days. The ration consisted of 1.53 pounds barley, 1.53 pounds corn, and .44 pound linseed meal. This ration had a nutritive ratio of 1:6.4. It was fed thruout the entire feeding period. The results obtained from Pen III and Pen IV would then show the results of feeding a ration in which corn and barley were fed in equal amounts in conjunction with linseed meal, with and without alfalfa. The animals used in this expert- ment were chiefly large Yorkshires, tho there were one or two cross breds, and as already mentioned, three Berkshires replaced three animals that were started on the experiment. There was considerable difference in the weights of the lots at the beginning of the experiment, owing to the fact that there was a large difference in the weights of the individuals, and an effort was made to divide them into lots such that no individual within a pen would be able to hog the feed, at the expense of the rest. They had all been farrowed in July and August and as a result were approximate- ly six months old. As their weights indicate, they were very small for their age, wéighing less than 60 pounds per ~-32- head. At no time did they show a thrifty condition, as pigs would be expected to show, in order to return a profit in the feed lot. All of the animals were vaccinated for cholera on February 9, and they made very poor gains during the ensuing week. When started on the preliminary feeding period they had been receiving between 2.5 and 3 pounds per head per day of a mixture of 100 pounds of middlings, 75 pounds corn flackes, 25 pounds ground oats and 8 pounds tankage. The animals of all pens ate the alfalfa readily at all times tho the same was not true of the grain mixture. The barley fed was salvage and had some rye mixed in it. The pigs did not care for this feed at first, especially those of Pen I which received only the barley and alfalfa, but once they became accustomed to it, they ate it readily. A little of the alfalfa was pulled from the rack and wasted, tho this loss was very small. The corn was fed as coarse corn meal and the barley was fed whole. The grain was made into a mash with warm water during the cold periods, cold water being used after about April 1. Salt was mixed with the grain three times a week. The alfalfa and corn were of very good quality, the barley as has been pointed out, was salvage, and had some rye mixed with it. The feeds had the following composition: -33- Carbohydrates. 4 Water % Ash % Crude 4 Fibre % N.Free % Fat. Extract. Corn 11.93 1.42 9.88 2.71 69.39 4.87 Salvage barley 7.785 2.71 11.27 3.28 73.615 1.34 Linseed meal 8.29 5.175 33.64 7.42 34.29 6.182 Alfalfa 6.127 6.48 15.1 28.1 41.75 2.324 The prices of feeds used in figuring the cost of pro- duction are those for Lansing, December lst, with the excep- tion of that for corn which is the Chicago quotation of December lst plus 5¢ per bushel for freight. Corn ........ . $1.60 per cwt. Salvage barley .... 1.35 " 1" Linseed meal ..... 2.50 "_ " Alfalfa .. . .. . »« 12.00 per ton. FEEDING PERIOD. January 30 - February 27. Daily Ration. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 2.8# Barley 2.45# Barley 1.23# Corn. 1.534 Barley ~7# Alfalfa -35# Linseed 1.234% Barley 1.534% Corn. - 7# alfalfa .55# Linseed -44# Linseed Meal. Meal. .7# Alfalfa. These rations supplied Pens I, II, and III with 2.8 pounds of concentrates and .7 pound alfalfa per head per day and Pen IV with 3.5 pounds of concentrates per day- As was shown there was some difference in the nutritive ratios ~34- of the different lots, but this could not be overcome and still have the rations bear the same relation to each other that they did. Digestible Nutrients per Pen per Day. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 11.91 13.21 15.08 9.89 Crude Protein 1.13 1.605 1.78 1.26 Carbohydrates 7.88 | 8.26 9.26 7.16 Fat °165 30 0457 0O97 There was a considerable difference in the amount of dry matter and nutrients consumed per pén per day. The greatest difference is in the dry matter, due to the fact the Pen IV received no alfalfa. The feeds of some of the pens was reduced in amount during short periods depending upon the readiness with which they cleaned up their feed, thus accounting for the differences found between Pens I, II, and III. Digestible Nutrients per Head per Day. (Pounds) Pen [. Pen-.If. ' Pen III. Pen IV. Dry Matter 2-58 2.64 2.01 1.98 Crude Protein ecc6 eoel 256 ©2008 Carbohydrates 1.576 1.552 1.852 1.432 Fat ~022 -06 -0914 -0794 The digestible nutrients consumed per head per day varied in amount as did those consumed per pén per day, due to the fact that all pens were not able to consume the same amount of feed. ~35- Gains. (Pounds) Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. Total Gains 30. 65. 99. Oe « Average Gain per Head per Day .213 ~45 © 707 0371 The gains produced during this period varied grdatly for the different pens. Pen III receiving corn, barley, lin- seed meal, and alfalfa made the greatest gains, producing 99 pounds in 28 days, which was more than three times as much as produced by Pen I which received only barley and alfalfa. Pen II receiving barley, linseed meal, and alfalfa produced 63 pounds of gain as compared with 30 pounds for the pen receiving barley and alfalfa but no linseed meal. Pen III produced one and one-third times as large a gain as Pen II which received the ration of barley, linseed meal, and alfalfa, but no corn, which was contained in the ration of Pen III. Pen IV receiving corn, barley and linseed meal in the same proportions as Pen III but no alfalfa produced but slightly more than one-half as good gains as did Pen III which receiv- ed the alfalfa. Feed per Pound Gain. Pen I. Pen II. Pen III. Pen IV. 11.354 Barley 4.77# Barley 1.61# Barley 2» 6# Barley 2.11# Alfalfa .66# Linseed 1.61# Corn. 2.6# Corn. Meal. 1.67# Alfalfa -446# Linseed .73# Linseed Meal. Meal. 94 Alfalfa. During this period, it required 11.35 pounds of barley -36- and 2.11 pounds of alfalfa to produce a pound of gain in Pen I. This pen received barley and alfalfa only and did not eat the barley readily during this period nor did they make satisfactory gains on it, thus accounting for the high feed cost per pound of gain. Pen III produced each pound of gain at a cost of 1.61 paunds of barley, 1.61 pounds of corn, e446 pounds of linseed meal and .9 pound alfalfa, as compared to 4.77 pounds of barley, -66 pounds linseed meal and 1.67 pounds of alfalfa which it took to produce a pound of gain in Pen II. Here again, as between Pens I and II there is an appreciable saving produced, in the first instance caused by adding linseed meal to a barley and alfalfa ration and in the second instance by adding corn to a barley, linseed meal and alfalfa ration. Pen IV required 2.6 pounds barley,