| my | ll ll E38 Il THES!S on STEER FEEDING by E. W. Ranney. 1900 ae | ye a an - - at a nap a eee LIBRARY Michigan State University -Thesis- om -STREER FERDING- Michigan Agricultural College, 1900. a eee THESIS THESTS. Steer Fuccing. The results of this thesis are basee€ on a twelve weeks trial made by me Guring the winter or 1899 - 199006. 10340+ -3~ When the Angus steers, Wiggins, koxtie, and Jonnsomarrived at the Agricultural College, they were in the best of condition, and reacy for the market with the exception, perhaps, of Wiggins. They were pur- chasea of Smith ane Wiggins of Corning, Michigan, and were prize rinn- ers at the State fair in September 1899. When I began this experiment in feeding these steers I was of the opinion that it would not be a fi- nancial success, but thought that IT might obtain some results which woulée be vbenericial. % the beginning Roxie was in such good condition that Pro- fessor Mumford thought improvement in him woulc be slight, if any at all, but he was of the opinion that Wiggins and Jonnsor. could be im- pooved in some degree. The ages of the three steers were as follows,- Roxie, two years; Wiggins, two years; and Johnson one year. The season was not a favorable one for feeding, and this fact must be taken into consideration. The barn where the animals were kept was warm and conver.ient, but hed the disadvantage of containing pigs. The ocor from the pig pens must have beer disagreeable to the steers, The food usec in this experimer.t was of the best, and in entirely suff- icient quantities. The animals vere fed regularly three times a day. In the morning and at night the sugar bects were fed, after the steers had eaten their mixec grain and hay and the mangers had been cleaned out, The sehedule of meals was as follows:- Morning 6-30, Noon 12-20, Night 5:00, Cut Clover Hay. Sugar seets. Same as Mixed Grein. morning. Sugar seets, The steers were watered twice a day, in the morning ane at noor, before fveding. When weather permitted the animals were turnec out of coors, in a small yard, during the greater part of the day. Rock salt was kept in the mangers at all times. The stables were kept clean, ane the animals carefully groomed. The care of the animals was bdutter than thet giver. by most farmers, but was not so extraorcinary as to make it impracticable for every stockfeecer to adoot. The following are the three different combinations of grain used bn the three successive periods, of four weeks each, of our trial, The seconce is the richest and the third is the most economical, or Mixture No, 1 sy Welght.- 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/8 for the first four weeks, Corn Meal. Wheat sran. Oil Meal. Oat Meal, Mixture No, 2 for the seconée four veeks, By Weight,- 3/2 Corn Meal. 3/8 Wheat Bran. 1/4 Oil Meal, Mixture No. $8 for the third four weeks, By Welght,- 1/2 Corr. Meal. Wheat Bran, Table showing Digestible Nutrients in 100#. Feeding Stuf. Corn Meal Wheat Bran O11 Meal Oat Meal Clover Hay Sugaf sects W. L. German Stancarad., Dry Digestible Nutrient Nutritive Vatter. Protein. Carbo- Ether Ratio, hydrates, Extract. 89.1 7.9 66.7 4.° 88.1 12.2 59.2 2.7 91.8 25.8 43.3 11.0 92.1 11.5 52.1 5.9 84." 6.8 55.8 1.” 135.5 1.1 10.2 O.l 50.0 2.5 15.9 0.5 1: 6.5 The abvove table snows the average coefricients of cigestibil-e ity of the respective feeding stuffs usec in this experiment. Oil meal is usea very extensively by scientific feccers in order to balance thetr ration, trial, but it wes entirely omitted in the third period of our in order to reduce tne economic value of the ration, Wiggins anc Roxte. First Week, Fecding Stuff. Corn Meal Wheat Bran O11 Meal Oat Meal Clover Hay Sugar Beets W.L. Standard 11/2 11/2 9 36 nry Matter. 5.546 2.643 1.577 1.382 7.626 4,869 25.251 50.000 Protein. 474 - 366 2387 2173 .612 2596. 2.408 2.509 Carbo- 4.002 1.176 ©6850 o 782 5.922 5-872 13.504 15.000 Digestible Nutrient Ether hydrates. Extract. 0258 O81 ~ 165 © 089 0153 2956 «782 » 500 Nutritive Retio. > 6.5 The above table snows falls much below Wiggins anc Roxie, the stand: rad, the first ration for the first week, It Secona and Third Weeks, Feeding Stuff. Corn Meal Wheat Bran Oil Meal Oat Meal Clover Hay Sugar Beets lrs, 1/2 1/4 1/4 WOM HM WO Dry 4.455 22208 1.148 1.351 7.625 4.860 21.640 395 505 321 2144 .613 2596 2.173 Carbo- 3.5055 2980 2541 e651 0.2202 5,572 12.401 Digcstible Nutrient Ether hycrates. Extract. e215 ~068 138 0074 ~ 153 2956 684 Nutritive Ratio. The above table shows the first third weeks, ration for the second anc Wiggins #né@ Roxte. Fourth Weck. Feeding los, Dry Digestibvle Nutrient Stuff. Matter. Protein. Carbo- Ether hydrates. Extract. Corn Meal, 4 5.564 516 2.668 el72 Wheat Bran 2 1.762 o 244 784 954 011 Meal 1 2918 - 258 0 4535 ~ 110 Oat Meal 1 921 e115 2521 0959 Clover Hay 6 5.082 - 408 2.148 e102 Sugar Beots 36 4.860 2295 5,572 2956 17.107 1.757 10.226 2 533 The above table shows the first ration for the fourth week, This ends the first pertod. Wiggins anc Roxie. Seconc Period or four weeks, Feeding lbs. Dry Digestible Nutrient Nutritive Stuff. Matter. Protein. Carbo- Ether Ratio. hydrates, Extract. Corn Meal 3 2.675 0 257 2.091 2 129 Wheat Bran 5 2.6435 - 5668 1.176 981 O11 Meal 2 1.836 2516 - 866 2022 Clover Hay 6 5.QR2 - 408 2.148 2lN2 Sugar Beets 37 1/2 £5,048 2413 3,821 2038 17.282 1.940 10.012 0572 W.L.Standardad 50.00% 2.500 15.000 - 500 13: 6.5 The above table shows the second ration for the second per- fod. This ration also falls below the stancard, however it 1s richer than the first. -Ou Wiggins and Roxie. Third Period of four weeks, Feecing lbs, Dry Digestible Nutrient, Nutritive Stuff. Matter, Protein. Carbo- Ether Ratio. hydrates. Fxtract. Corn Meal 4 3.564 O16 22668 -L73 Wheat Bran 4 3.524 488 1.568 .108 Clover Hay 6 5.082 - 408 2.148 elO2 Sugar Beets 42 5.5670 2462 4,284 2942 17.840 1.674 10.668 0 494 W.L.Stancdard 40.099 2-500 14,000 - 500 1: 6.5 The above table shows the third ration for the third period, This is the cheapest of the three rations. Johnson. First three Weeks, Feeding Tos. Dry Digestible Nutrient Nutritive Stuff. Matter. Protein. Carbo- Ether Ratio, hydrates. Extract. Corn Meal 5 2.673 2287 2.001 ~il29g Wheat Bran 11/2 1.322 4183 . 588 0045 Oil Meal 3/4 - 689 204 325 - 083 Oat Meal 3/4 691 O86 391 044 Clover Hay 6 5.OR2 408 2.2148 ~ 102 Sugar Beets 18 2.450 198 1.856 29018 12.887 1.316 7.289 42 W.L.Stancard 50.900 2.500 15.9000 «500 1: 6.5 The above table shows the first ration for the first three weeks, -19-=- Jonnson. Fourth Week, Feeding lbs, Dry Digestible Nutrient Stuff. Matter. Protein. Carbo- Ether hydrates, Fxtract. Corn Mcal 5 2.6785 0257 2.9001 e129 Wheat s8ran 11/2 1.322 .183 . 588 045 Oat Meal 3/4 691 O86 391 044 011 Meal 3/4 ~ 689 204 325 083 Clover Hay 4 32588 22723 ~ 143 968 Sugar seets 18 2.450 198 1.233 2018 11.193 1.180 5.284 0 ORT The above table shows the first ration for the fourth week. Jonnson. Seconc Period or four weeks, Feeding lbs. nry Digestible Nutrient Nutritive Stuff. Matter, Protein. Carbo- Ether Ratio. hydrates. Extract. Corn Meal 21/4 2.006 178 1.501 097 Wheat Bran 2 1/4 1.982 275 - 882 061 011 Meal 11/2 1.377 387 650 2165 Clover Hay 41/4 3.600 2 2R9 1.522 072 Sugar Bects 19 1/2 2.633. 2215 1,989 920 11.598 1.544 6.544 © 415 W.L.Standard 50.00% 2.500 15.000 e500 lL: 6.5 The above table shows the seconé ration for the second period, -ll- Jonnson,. Third Pertoée of four weeks, Feeding lbs, nry Digestible Nutrient Nutritive Stuff. Matter, Protein. Carbdo- Ethor Ratio. hydrates. Extract. Corn Meal 3} 2.673 0207 2eN01 e129 Wheat sran 3 2-643 2566 1,176 e981 Clover Hay 5 4.255 2040 1.790 e985 Sugar sects 24 5-240 2264 2,448 2924 12.791 1.207 7.415 2O19 W.L.Stancard 30.0099 2.590 15.000 «500 1: 6.5 The above.table shows the third ration for the third period, ~10- Table showing the Mean Rations of each animal for each perind ance for the whole time, Name of Ration, Pertod. Dry Nigestible Nutriment Gain Steer. Matter. Protein. Carbdo- Ether per hydrates.Extract. Nay. No.l lst. 21.904 2.124 12.1335 671 2.04 Wiggins NO.2 2nd. 17.282 1.940 10.012 2072 1.07 NO.Sd ord. 17.840 1,678 10,668 4424 Seah Average 19.009 1.913 10.958 e 489 2e1l No.1 1st. 21.904 2.124 12.1353 671 1.29 Roxie NO.2 anc. 17,222 1.940 10.012 0072 1.00 NO.S ord, 17,840 1,874 10,668 .424 1.57 Average 19.009 1.913 10.9358 « 489 1.29 No.1 lst. 12.464 1.282 6.788 2415 -96 Johnson NO.2 and. 11.598 1.344 6.544 2415 1.386 NO.3 Sra. 12.791 1,307 7.415 ,3519 2,07 Average 12.284 1.301 6.916 2582 1.46 Mean Average 16.767 1.709 9.597 0 4535 1.62 The above table shows that the mean average ration of the an- imals, for the whole time, was as follows,- 16.767 dry matter, 1.709% protein, 9.597% carbonydrates, and .453¢ ether extract, and that the average gain per day was 1.628, _-18- Results of Trial. weekly Weight of Steers curing 12 Weeks Trial, Nate. weight of Gain or Weitgnt Gain or Wetght of Gain Wigesins. Loss, or Roxte. loss, Johnson. or 109058 nec.9, 1899. 1553+ ---- 16304: ---- OBA: ---- * 16, 0 1590 374: 1618 -1lp# 956 = Of » 23, +" 1580 -10 1640 22 970 14 v §380, "™ 18604 - 24 1660 20 Y9R4 14 Jan.6,. 1900, 1610 6 1666 6 992 R Total Gain for Four Weeks 57h b56# 274 Jan.13, 1900. 16008 -10 1654¢ -12 9944 2 e 20, " 1638 358 1674 20 1000 6 e 27, " 1622 -16 1682 8 1018 18 Feb, 3, nt 1640 18 1694 12 1030 12 Total Gain for Four weeks 30# 2R¢ She Feb.10, 1900. 16'70¢ 50 17004 6 1030 -—— e 17, " 1700 340 1730 30 1050 20 “e 624, " 1724 24 1730 -- 1078 28 Mar, 3, " 1730 6 1758 8 1088 10 Total Gain for Four Weeks 90# 444. 5A# This table shows that we get the best results with the third ration during the thierd veriod. The results of this period may be due to climatic conditions, which were more favorable than during the pre- vious two periods, The first period shors better results than the second, with the exception of Johnson, who makes a gain of 38% in the second period against 274 during first period, It is my opinion that if the weights -14- at first hac been as accurate a5 those afterwards the results of the first poriod woule not have shnovec better geins than the second. The first two weights that we made of the animals were after they nac been watered. Artor the second weck the weights were all mace once a week, at the same hour, before the animals hac water. The rirst weights given in this table are averages of two weights taken. Table showing the cirferent Guins in the different Periods, Name or Pertoad Total Avorage Average Total Average Average Steer, of Gain for Gain Gain Gain. Gain Gein 28 ca, Period. per wk. per ada, per wk. per daa, No.1 Bf 14.2594: 2.044 Wiggins. No. 2 30 7.50 1.07 NO.3 90 22.50 5.231 177% 14.75% 2eLlld No.1 55 9.00 1.29 | Roxie NO.2 28 7.00 1.90 No.3 44 11.00 1.57 108 9.00 1.29 No.l 27 6.75. 96 Johnson NO.2 58 9.50 1.36 NO.S 5R 14.50 2.07 123 10,25 1,46 Average 1364 11.33¢ 1.62¢ This table shows the total and average amount of gain ry each animal during the three successive periocs, -15- Table showing the amount of feed consumed for 100 gain and cost of same curing each pertod, accoréing to the different rations, Name of Steer, Wiggins. Roxie, Johnson. Wiggins. Roxie, Johnson. Wiggins. Roxie, Johnson, Rat- ton. Per- Lod, No.1 No.1 No.1 No.l No.l No.l Average No.3 NO.2 No.2 NO.2 No.2 NO.2 Average NO.5 NO.3S No.3 NOo.S No.5 NO.S Average Gain in 28 cda.per head. 574: 36 27 40 30 28 38 32 90 44 58 64 Gain per head per da, 2.044 1.29 298 5.21 1.57 2.18 Amt.of grain for 1004 gain. 492. St 777.9 822.2 650.7 746.6 890.0 421.6 656.1 248.8 509.1 289,7 5349.3 Amt.of hay for 100¢ gain. 405. 2 641.7 570.4 505.8 560.0 600.0 315,32 49).1 186.6 326.4 241.4 271.5 Amt.of roots Cost for 100% for 100¢@ Gain. gain. 1768.4¢ *# 7.86 2800.0 1866.8 2145.0 3500.0 5750.0 4456.8 2995.6 1566.6 2673.4 1158.8 1752.9 12.44 9.99 12.65 135.55 6,57 10.92 4.03 8.25 5.54 third period was much lower than curing the two previous periods, The above table shows that the cost of feeding during the -16- Table showing the average cost for 100# gain, live weight, for each animal, Name of Ration, Period. Cost per Average Average Steer. l1OO# gain. cost per cost per 1lOO# gain. 1b. No.l No.l %$ 7.86 Wiggins. No.2 NO.2 12.65 $ 8.18 $ .082 NO.S No.3 4.035 No.1 NO.1 12.44 Roxie, NO.2 NO.2 13.55 10.41 104 NO.3 No.8 8.25 No.1 No.1 9.67 Johnson. NO.2 NO.2 6.57 6.86 - 069 NO. 3 No.8 4.538 ene Average 8.358 - 084 This table shows that the avcrage cost for 100# gain for three periods of three animals separately, was $8.18 for Wiggins; $10.41 for Roxie; and $6.86 for Johnson, Table showing the amount of Feeding Stuffs consumed. Name Of Period. Average Average Feec fed each animal daily. Steer. wt. of daily gain. Mixed Clover Sugar animal. . Grain. Hay. Beets, 1st. 1587. 4 2.044 10. 5# 8.25% S64 Wiggins. 2nd. 1622.0 1.07 8 6 57.5 ord. 1692.8 5.21 8 6 42 lst. 1642.8 1.29 10.5 8.25 356 Roxie, 2nd. 1674.0 1.00 8 6 57.5 3rd. 1718.4 1.57 8 6 42 1st. 973.4 ~96 6 5.5 18 Johnson. end. 1006.8 1.356 6 4.25 19.5 Srd. 1055.2 2.07 6 5 24 -17~ Table showing the Amount of Feed consumed by each by periods. per period. Name of Period. per week, per day. Steer. Clover Mixed Sugar Hay. Grain. Beets, Hay.Grain.seets Hay. Grain.seets,. lst. 231% 280+ 1008 57.75 70% 252+ 8.25+ 1Oe S6¢ Sra. 168 224 1176 42 56 294 6 8 42 Average 189 241.3 1028 47.25 61.6 269.5 6.75 8.66 38.5 lst. 251 280 1008 57.75 70 252 8.25 10 56 Roxie, 2nd. 168 224 1050 42 56 262.5 86 8 57.5 ord. 168 224 1176 42 56 294 6 8 42 Average 189 241.5 1078 47.25 61.6 269.5 6.75 8.66 58.5 1st. 154 168 504 58.5 42 126 5.50 6 18 Johnson. 2nd 119 168 546 29.75 42 136.5 4.25 6 19.5 Sra. 140 168 872 35,0 42 168 5,00 6 24 Average 137.7 168 574 54.42 42 143.5 4.92 6 20.5 Total Average 171.9 216.9 910 42.97 55.1 229.5 6.11 7.77 32.5 The above table shows the average amount of feeding stuffs consumed by the three animals, and by each, during the three periods of the trial. On an average each consumed 6.1l¢ hay, 7.77% grain, and 32.5¢ sugar beets to give 1.624 daily gain. -1R- Table showing the total amount of feed cormsumed for 100% gain, and cost orf same, Name of Gain in Gain per Total Cost Grain Hay Roots Cost Steer. R4 days head per of feed for for 100# for for 100#¥ ver heac. aay. per head. 190% gain. gain.100# gain. gain. Wiggins 17°74 2.114 $11.90 4114 520% 18274 $ 6.72 Roxie, 108 1.29 11.90 B75 525 2994 11.00 Jonnsor.. 134 1,46 7.85 409 507 1400 6,12 Average 13564 1.624 $10.28 4986 384+ 207 44 $ 7.88 These calculations were made according Per Ton. Corn Meal $14.00 O11 Meal 25.00 Oat Meal 25.09 Wheat sran 12.50 Clover Hay B.00 Sugar Beots 2.50 to the following prices: Per Pound. 7 Cc 1.25 ¢ 1.25 ¢c 2625 4 ¢C 2125 Cc C Table snowing the Fconomic Value or the trial. Name of Welghnt at Cost of Cost of Food Market Profit Steer, the begirning. each, Aauring trial. Price, or 1088S, Wiggins 15534 $77.65 $11.90 $92.96 $ 3.41 Roxie 1840 9'7. 80 11.90 100.80 -8.90 Johnson 265 DBT.90 7465. —D5.70 8.85 Average 13855 $'7'°7 "78 $10.22 $233.49 $-3.77 ee The above table shows very plainly t hat this experiment was not a financial success, The purchase price of Roxie and Jonhnsor was -190- § cents per pound, anc of Wiggins 5 cents. The selling prices were as follows: Roxie 6certs; Wiggins 5.40 cents; anc Jonnson 5.60 cents. Hae the selling orice per pound remaineé the same as the purchase price, Wiggins woulc have lost in cash $5.90, instead or bringing $3.41 prorit ana Johnmsor woule have lost only $29.5% against $8.83 actual loss, Table or Live ane Dress Wetgrts. Name oF Welght in Nressea Yressed Fat vWressec Dressed Steer. Buffalo. 3eef, Fat ané deef, Fat and seef %. Tallow. Tallow %, Wiggins 16604 Y 2 Sap 1454 68.256 59.51% Roxie L680 1088 145 75.95 64.46 Johnson 1050 640 RO 67.61 60.00 Table, Per cent of Fab$ anc Taliow in Relatton to Name of Live Weight. Nressed seer, Nressea Steer. Fat, and Tallow. Beef. Wiggins B.75 12.79 14.67 Roxie 8.62 11.80 13.40 Johnson 7.61 11.26 12.71 From Secretury's Coburn's "The scef Steer" we learn that the best record for "Net Dressed Meat" given, is that of the pure bred Shorthorn Steer, Chaunce Kirk Livingston, which dressed 70%, Roxie Gressed 73.98%, which, if not the best result on record, 18 at least very close to it. While some cxperimenters try to shor that it pays to feod steers after they are in good marketable conceition, tt is my opinion that in every case if you take all expenses into constéeration, it will prove a losing investment. My experiment goes to show this fect, wher T only take into consiceration the cost or the foo0e consumec, but per- nets the steers koxie ance Jonnson, used in this experiment, are not lair examples, as Roxte, especially, was in the best of concition to be marketed wher. T began my work. While Wiggins was in gone concition at the beginning, he was cavuable of deciceé improvement. tn oréer to make such an experiment as this of any value to the farmer or stock fevder, it should be concuctec in such a manner that it coule be Cuplicatec om any farm, anc all expenses shoula be taken into account. The exper.ses of feeding anc caring for the animals have mot beer. consiecored in this thesis, but they woulée acé€ much to the total cost anc ner.ce show more than ever the impracticabllity or feecc- ing such steers as were usec in our excerimer.t. Of course it is poss- ible to ac¢ a fraction of a cent to the selling price perpound, by in- creasing the weight slightly. It 1s claimec by some that 1t pays to co this, but in the figures that thet produce to establish their claim, they do not account for the time taken in feecing anc caring for the animals, but sey that the average farmer €oes not spenc mich time in Cning this. We acmit that the farmer does not Nave to suenc as much time in caring for each animal a3 was spent in our experiment, for the reason that the farmer can have more ar:imals to feed and thus recuce tre actual time spent on etch animal. However, the rarmor's time is Forsn somethii.g, ever, in the winter, anc we belteve that he can speneé it more profitably than fuceing Steers already in gooe condition for the market, The conelustons that [T Craw from thts expertment are that it Coes not pay to feec steers after they are in goo¢e marketable concition, We also rind tnat a Stanéare ration 18 not necessary, anc in fact coes not produce any betrer, if as gone, results as a cheaper ration, the cost of each being taken into account. > N o> ™ 93 03175 Wi if ie