TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. BULLETIN NO. 97. Animal Husbandry Section June, I907. Kaffir Corn and Milo IVIQiZe for Fattening Cattle BY F. R. MARSHAL AND J. C. BURNS. POSTOFFICE COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS. ATEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS OFFICERS. GOVERNING BOARD. (BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. AND M. COLLEGE.) K, LEGGETT, President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abiiene T. D. ROWELL, Vice President - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jefferson A, HAIDUSEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L3,Grange j, M, GREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yoakurn WALTQN PETEET . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Dallas R,T,M1LNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........Au5tin. L, L, MCINNIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bryan VV, SEBASTIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Breckenridge STATIQN QFFICERS. H. H. HARRINGTON, LL. 1)., President of the College. J, W, CARSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .Vice Director M, FRANCIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veterinari3n E, KYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Horticulturist F, MARSHALL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anim3i Husbandry R, BENNETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cotton Specialist O, BALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Botanist G. FRAPS. . . . .‘ . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chemist A, CONRADI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Entomologist C. E. SANBORN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - --Co-Operative Entomologist JOHN C. BURNS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --Assistant Animal Husbandry N, T-IAMNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Chemist ~ L. MCLENNAN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . - - - - - --Deputy Feed Inspector A, POTTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deputy Feed Inspector J. H. ROGERS . . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --Deputy Feed Inspector H, HANNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deputy Feed Inspector C, W, CRISLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk Feed Control C, A, POFFENBERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Chief(j1erk MISS VVATKINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stenographer STATE SUB-STATIQNS. W. ‘S. HOTCHKISS, Superintendent - - - - - - - - - - - -Troupe, Smith County S. VVASCHKA, SUPBFIIIIQIICIGHII - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beeville, Bee County NoTE—~Thc main station is located on the grounds of the Agricult- ural and Mechanical College, in Brazos County. The postofiice address o is College Station, Texas, Reports and bulletins are sent free upon application to the ‘Director. TABLE OE CONTENTS PAGE Present Use of Kafiir Corn in Texas - - - - . - - - - . . . - - - - - - . . . . . . . . . . 4 Kafiir Corn on the Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - ~ - - . . . . . . . . . . _. . 5 Kaffir Corn as a Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Digestibility of Kaffir Corn and Milo Maize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Comparison of Indian Corn, Kaflir Corn, Milo Maize and Molasses. . 7 Cotton Seed Versus Cotton Seed Meal as Supplements to a Kafiir Corn Ration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10' Killing Qualities of Kafiir Corn Fed Steers - - - -. - - - - - .‘ - . - . - - - . - - - - 13 Review of Work Done With Kafiir Corn at Qther Stations - - - - - - - - 18-20 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ _ _ _ _ , . . . . . . _ , . . . . . . . . . . . . . .‘ . . . . . . KAFFIR CORN AND MIL() MAIZE FOR FATTENING CATTLE BY F. R. MARSHALL AND J. C. BURNS This bulletin is chiefly intended to furnish information regarding the feeding value of kaflir corn and milo maize. While our experiments with these feeds are not completed, enough has been done to show that the sections producing thes-e crops can profitably finish cattle for market. We have als-o learned some interesting facts regarding the feeds most profitable to combine With kaffir corn and milo maize for fattening ma- tured cattle. A discussion of the subject is published at this time to answer numer- ous inquiries as to the value of katfir corn from feeders in all parts of the State. There is also included a comparison of kaffir corn and milo maize with Indian corn and with molasses. Indian corn is the grain with which the kaffir corn usually comes into competition, and molasses is used to some extent to furnish the same constituents that render corn so valuable f-or fattening purposes. Whether or not the use of these crops for finishing cattle for the beef market is more profitable than utilizing them in such a way as to render possible the heavier stocking of the pastures with breeding animals, will not be discussed. Kaffir corn and milo maize seem likely to become staple crops in the Pan Handle and Western Texas country. Although some localities have produced Indian corn for shipment, the majority of farmers with long experience in that country consider kaffir corn a sure crop especial- ly adapted to that section, because it knows no critical stage. The i scarcity of moisture at any period of its growth will arrest its develop- ment, but does not render it unable to respond to later rains. It is not possible to obtain statistics to show the acreage or yield of kaffir corn and milo maize raised in Texas. Undoubtedly the crop has doubled in the last three years. With the rapid opening up of the pas- tures for farms and the appreciation of the value of these crops, further increased production seems certain. The Western Texas and Pan Handle lands when used for pasture under the old time ranch system were easily made to pay a fair rate of interest on their selling values. These lands at present advanced values must be made to yield greater returns. These increased returns may be obtained in three ways: by carrying more breeding stock on the same land, by fattening cattle before selling, or by selling of crops raised. To stock the grass lands more heavily ne- cessitates the growing of some feed crops to insure supply of winter feed. Finishing of cattle requires the production on the farm of grains adapt- -ed to such use. Although kaffir corn and milo maize are peculiarly adapted to this large section of the State that is being transformed from a ranching to a stock farming country, their feeding value is imperfectly understood. In many instances farmers who raise these crops regard them lightly and purchase Indian corn with which to feed their Work stock. 5 K . The bulk of kaflir corn and milo maize raised in Texas affxr Corn on the . . . Mlrket. is used for seed and for feed on the farms Where raised. Qnly a part of the crop is threshed, the usual practice being to feed from the bundle. Kansas City is the only market making regular quotations 0n kaffir corn. This market ‘reports only one 0r two cars per day, selling by the hundred weight, and at a price a little lower than that of Indian corn. As t0 the purpose for which the marketed kafiir is used, there is some uncertainty. It seems quite popular as a poultry food, and, no doubt, considerable quantities are used for this purpose and for seed. It is probable, however, that a good deal of kafii-r corn is used, when price permits, for mixing with ground feed. Even though this be the case at this time the grower has no complaint to make, because all of the grain ottered for sale up to this time has been taken at fair prices. It is altogether desirable, however, that this crop should reach its final destination under its own name, so that if in thefuture large quantities should be olfered to the trade, it will sell at its real value and not as a cheap adulterant. Texas produces annually in the vicinity of one hundred and fifty mil- lion bushels of corn, but this crop does not meet the State's needs. Oon- siderable quantities are shipped in each year from Indian Territory, Oklahoma and Kansas. To some extent this shortage is being supplied by the surplus of the kaffir corn crop in the _western part of the State. Bulletin 90, of this station shows that up to September, 1906, there had been registered with the Feed Control two hundred and forty-nine manufacturers of Indian corn chops and only twenty-two firms ptitting out kafiir corn and milo maize chops. Our experiments were designed to put katlir corn in its rightful place before the purchasing public as well as to assist the man who raises and wishes to feed the crop. K . Early experiments at the Kansas and Qklahoma Stations affir Corn as a . . Feed‘ _ fully demonstrated the high fattening _value_of kaflir corn. I‘ ew of our Texas farmers are familiar with the re- sults of experiments at those stations. They have also to feed this grain in combination with other materials and under different conditions from those ob- taining in the States mentioned. As was stated, the bulk of Texas raised kaflir corn and milo maize crops are not threshed, but fed to work and breeding stock from the bundle. There are. however. an increasing numlwer of men ar-d farmers engaging in the finishing of cattle and hogs in the country in which these crops arc raised. Feeders in other sections sometimes have opportunity to purchase kaifir corn at a price much lower than that of Indian corn, but refuse to do so because of a misunderstanding of its ac‘ tual value. It is with a view to serving these two classes as well as others likely to desire information upon the same subjects, that our ex- periments have been planned and conducted. THE COMPOSITION AND DIGESTIBILITY OF KAFFIR CORN AND HILO MAIZE. Although numerous experiments have shown katfir corn to have a feeding value uniformly a little lower than that of Indian corn, thq Jeal difference in the two feeds has not been clearly shown. Authorities agree that kalfir corn contains less fat or oil than Indian corn. Some 6 of them claim that kafiir corn oil is entirely indigestible, and there- fore of no use to the animal; others assert that the oil is digestible and explain the lower fattening value on other grounds. This subject has been carefully studied during the past year by the Chemical Section of this Station. The average of nineteen analyses (Bulletin 95, this Station) is shown below compared with Indian corn as given on page 619 of Hen- ry’s Feeds and Feeding. TABLE 1- 90MP9slTlQ§Qlill5lPkiNsANlllQufFlR cCQKlY PERCENTAGE Comeosmon K iTiCiiude tNitrogen Fiyther ' Iilolyoil Waterl Ash tein Fiber ‘FreeExt. Ext. ~ Anal. 51.45} ciQr5i..1..ii.T...T.l.iT.T.'.i..T..T 61b1, 1Z3 16.3 l T m 'T§'3 as T Eliniigliorn..n...ii....l.:.:HT-Hfiii. T1T§Tll7ii4 15g l" iv d 75.1" s ""?;£?" com Cob.i.i....i .... ........... l6§a*"i.l 1 7214i hi“ 775141.19” i is ~71}? isTi ids i515"! "a; i i’ 64.}; it 5.1% “vi m l kaffir Corn Chopys.....li..i . . . . . 1163 i1()_98! ‘Z275,’ ii 312T 19 Milo Maize ........... m no len;~;a* "Add a 317; 14 s“ i<>in agidg..iii...ff%i§iz 5.52 5.55 ab; @215 2.25 7f?“ QGround (Miiaiviaizédueaiis..1... .... 3;.31f§j71 179.2: i 6.51 ‘¢,¢1e55el"eg;i;‘ to '4 Uses of Constituents lt is the nitrogen free extract or carbohydrates, and th of Feed either extract or the fat or oil, that make corn so valu- able for fattening animals. A pound of fat is worth 2 1-4 pounds of carbohydrates. . As to the amount of protein a fattening zininial should receive authori- ties are not agreed. Protein is the sole source of muscular growth, and is used for other purposes. Gifowring animals need much more protein than maturer ones, and it is because of the relatively low proportion of protein in corn that practical feeders have come to prefer ,some feed such as bran, oats or cotton seed meal along with corn for undeveloped stock. The addition of some feed high in protein to a corn ration for a mature animal will tisuallv cause a more rapid gain, though not nec- essarily a cheaper one. (Irude fiber is made up of woody portions of plants or grains. Wheat and corn bran contain considerable amounts of crude fiber. Rice hulls contain a great deal of this material. Crude "fiber is usually largely in- digestible. It will be noticed in Table I, that the difference between kaffir corn and ltaflir corn heads consists principally in the increase of crude fiber. Digested crude fiber is practically of the same value as ni- trogen free extract, but on account of the difficulty of its digestion, it i5 desirable to have as little as possible of this constituent in any feeding stuft. The analyses givenin Table l were made to be printed on the back of the tax tags placed upon all feed sold in accordance with the_pure feed law. It must be borne in mind,however, that analyses such as shown in that table and guaranteed by manufacturers are only a partial evidence of the value of those feeds to live stock. Value of Analysis as Printed on Tax Tags. 7 1338655335’ 0f Kaf- Kaflir corn is given as having an ether extract or fat ‘fir Com. content of 3.12 per cent. As referred to, Kansasiinves- tigators some years ago claimed that the fat in kaffir corn was not digested, and therefore valueless. The results 0f the. investi- gations made by the Chemical Section of this Station showed that 78 per cent of the fat in kaflir corn meal was digested, while some years ago Oklahoma investigators found that 46 per cent of the fat in kaffir corn meal was digested. In no case has the fat of whole kafllr corn been found to be of use to the animal‘ In regard to the other constituents the investi‘ gators agree fairly well and the figures given in Table II are as nearly correct as is possible to obtain at this time. The amount of digestible nutrients in Indian corn and kaflir corn is shown below. The figures for Indian corn are taken from page 631, 01' Henry’s Feeds and Feeding. Those for kaffir corn are furnished by the Chemical Department of this Station: TABLE II. DIGESTIBLE CONSTITUENTS IN INDIAN CORN, KAFFIR CORN AND MILO IVIAIZE. lDigestible Nutrients in 100 Lbs. é Drgiiiaaziltter . W _ Carbohy- iEthr, _‘_A V____ m __ __ __ ***** w _ _ l In 1001b; 3 Prowl“ pirates Ext. E?‘C°'“i"';';;t,f_;;;";1ff;;;;;i;;;;1Q 87”‘ l“ 7;‘? - "M, s. 41f, F|in:com;i...7.gg..3.7:.........g......:..gl....g...; g glwfisg 7W g saggy igeg cg? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...g.g..‘..g.g:.g. .4 52.5 i .3 ‘Corn andfiCob Meal . . . . . . . . . . . . W .g..g....ry....lfr V g-w V ()0 2_9 Idmiiiggrggrin...’ . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,6 | 4;; i é Milo Maize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.7 I 6.2 l 623 p g0 l The foregoing theoretical evidence would indicate that kaffir corn and milo maize have feeding values almost equal to Indian corn. Experi- ments reported in succeeding pages give practical evidence on this point. EXPERIMENT I. COMPARISON OF INDIAN CORN, KAFFIR CORN, MILO MAIZE AND INIOLASSES FOR FAlllTldNING STEERS. i On January 6th, 1907, we received from J. T. Reynolds, Alice, twen- ty head of three-year-old grade Shorthorn steers. These steers were "the choice of a. lot of sixty-five head. They appeared to have not more than three crosses of Shorthorn bulls, were horned, and had never eaten feed of any kind. When weighed at the ranch just before loading they averaged 1,182 pounds. These cattle were exceptionally gentle for range steers, and from the first ate freely of the sorghum hay that was kept before them. Their first grain feed consisted of 20 pounds of cot- ton seed. meal and 40 pounds of corn chops. Corn chops was increased one pound per day for each steer until January 12th. On January 14th 8 they were eating 3 pounds of cotton seed meal and 6 pounds corn chops each per day. After the 18th the grain was mixed with cotton seed hulls. 'I‘he feed was still gradually increased until on January 31st, 20 head ate 6O pounds cotton seed meal, 260 pounds of corn chops, 280 pounds of hulls, and as much as they cared for of sorghum hay. On this I date the steers showed an average gain of 50 pounds over their Weights at the ranch on January 3d. It was planned to, feed a basal ration of; cotton seed meal and hulls to all the steers. On February 1st, they were divided into four lots to be thereafter fed as follows: Lot I. Indian corn chops, cotton seed meal and hulls. Lot II. Molasses, cotton seed meal. and hulls. L-ot III. Kafiir corn chops, cotton seed meal and hulls. Lot IV. Milo maize chops, cotton seed meal and hulls. Previous experiments have shown that only good results follow the feeding of gallon of molasses daily to individual steers. It was thought that in this experiment we could entirely substitute molasses for a corn ration On February 9th, the first day of the experiment, the rations were as follows: _ Let I. S0 pounds Indian corn, 15 pounds cotton seed meal, 40 pounds cotton seed hulls, also sorghum hay. Lot II. 50 pounds of Indian corn, 6 quarts (18 lbs.) molasses, 15 pounds cotton seed meal, 70 pounds cotton seed hulls, also sorghum hay. i . Lot. III. St) pounds kaffir corn, 15 pounds cotton seed meal, 70 luounds cotton sced hulls, also sorghum hay. Lot. IV. 8O pounds milo maize, 15 pounds cotton seed meal, 70 pounds cotton seed hulls, also sorghum hay. . OnvFehruary 20th, lot II ate 25 quarts of molasses and no corn. l.ots I, Ill, and IV, each ate 110 pounds of Indian corn, katfir corn and znilo maize respectively’. With the exception, as will be noted, of. lots I and ll. this rate of feeding was continued until the close of the experiment on April 26th. Lot I would not eat the same quantity of hulls as was consumed by each of the other lots. It u as impossible un- der the conditions surrounding the experiment to procure Indian corn oli’ the same degree of fineness as the ltatiir corn "and milo maize furnishctl by the dealer. The coarse corn chops would not adhere to the cotton seed hulls, consequently the steers would pick out mostof the corn and leave the hulls. This was avoided later by feeding the cotton seed meal and corn chops together, and the hulls in a separate bunk sprinkled over with a small allowance of molasses. After the steers in lot II had been eating five quarts each of molasses daily for one week, it was clearly shown by the loose condition of their droppings that this was too large a feed of molasses. By March 10th they were changed to 5O pounds of corn and 20 quarts of molasses, or one gallon each per day, on which ration they continued until the ex- periment closed. Final results cf this test are shown in Table lll. 9 TABLE Ill. RESULTS OF SEVENTY-SIX DAY TEST WITH INDIAN CORN, MOLASSES, KAFFIR CORN AND MILO MAIZE. lAverage Wt- at‘ NO- . Avfifflge daily N . . T lG . O LOT Start Steers Feed Eaten ota ain gain per steer‘ fi__w_twizf_ _ _ ___A , l 4693.5 lbs c. s. i C Hul 1105.51 .5. a r .,._ 5 bs Meal‘ / '0 2'10 7981lbslndian corn 8% Gal. molasses 6550 lbS Q S. . Hullsi H. 1232 ‘ 5 1140 lbS C. b. i 737 L91 j Meal: l 2903lbs Indian corn» 37b Gal. molasses 1 GSSOIbs C. s. Hunts llI. i 1248 ; 5 _1L4Ulos Q. b. Meal. 986,0 A '_.;;*/ ‘ 15.234 Kaffir born l W lesson» c. s. Hulls i I - 124" - 5 jimoibs C. s. rhea] _ 1 , l I ¢U24lbs Milo Maize 838 3 7 2O {r1210 l\nfill' COIII ~ The feeds used in this test cost us at the following rates Per ton. Corn (lhops . . . . . . . . . . . . .A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00 Cotton Seed Heal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 24.00 Cotton Seed Hulls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.00 Ground Kaflir Corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18.00 Ground Milo Maize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18.00 The table shoxvs that kattir corn gave the largest and cheapest gains followed by milo maize, inol-asstis Lrielding smaller though cheaper gains than Indian corn. ljOl l, as stated previously, did not eat the roughage so regula.'rl_\p' as the other lots, apparently because the coarse chop-s mixed less thoroughly with the hulls. The gains of this lot were also interfered with by the sickness of one steer that was Withdrawn from the experiment April llth. In computing the average daily rate of gain, the withdrawal of this steer has been considered. Repetition of this test without another form of roughage might result in a higher rate of gain for Indian than for kallir corn and milo maize, but for feeding‘ matured cattle a mixed rat-ion similar to that used in this cxiwrriment, we WOlllfl recommend the purchase of the lowest priced of these three feeds. ~- Resuns of Molasses This is the third year of our (‘XPQFIITCTITZII work with Test. molasses. We now feel satisfied that one gallon per head per day IS the lamest amount "that (‘an he ftd with profit. The gains of the molasses fed cattle in this ttst were lowered our attempt to feed five quarts contiminuslv with no trrain other than three pounds of cotton seed meal. After March 10th. on which date corn W2.“ suhstituted for part of the molasses, the gains of lot ll were practically equal to those of otherlots. At 10c per gallon the feeding of a medium ration of 10 molasses will prove profitable added to a meal and a hulls ration, and at that price 1t can profitably replace part of a ration of corn worth 70c per bushel We consider 10c molasses to be about on a par with 60c corn for feed- ing with a mixed ration. EXPERIMENT II. COTTON SEED VERSUS COTTON SEED MEAL AS SUPPLE- MENTS TO A KAFFIR- CORN RATION FOR THBFTE- XTlAR-OLD STEERS. This experiment was conducted at Clarendon, Texas, in co-operati-on with Mr. 'l‘lios. S. Bugbee. Mr. QBugbee is a Panhandle farmer ant! cattle raiser whose experience with kaffir corn has led him to esteem it highly as a fattening feed. It was considered desirable, however, to make in that section a demonstration of the fattening value of kafiir corn. It was also desired to arrive at a knowledge of the profits from feeding cotton seed with kafiir corn meal as compared with cotton seed meal and kaifir corn meal. lt was, threfore, arranged to feed two bunches of steers as follows: Lot I. Ground. kaffir corn, cotton seed and kaffir Corn stover fur roughness. . Lot. I-I. Ground kafiir corn, cotton seed meal, and kaiiir torn st-over for roughness. On November 1st, cotton seed meal cost $30.00 per ton laid down at Clarendon, while at the same time cotton seed could be procured for $12.00. Kind of Stock Used IEarly in November Mr. Bugbee brought one hundred and fifty dehorned steers, mostly three-year-olds, from the range pastures to his feeding pens at Claren- don. Most of these steers were well graded Shorthorns, though there were a number of Herefords and a few eross-breds; they were consider- ably above the average in conformation and quality, being valued in that month at $32.00 per head. During the previous winter the herd in which these steers were running had had access to kaffir corn stalk fields, but none of them had ever received any grain feed. About No- vember 20th, Mr. T. l\/I. Reddell, who was to represent this Station in the experiment, took charge of the feeding. The entire lot of Cattle was fed on bundle kaffir corn until December 10th, on which date ground kaflir corn was fed, and since these steers had been receiving a fair amount of grain from bundled corn, the beginning ration was a liberal one. On December 19th fifty of the poorest steers were eut out and the remaining one hundred divided into two lots practically alike in weight and quality. Those which were to receive cotton seed with their kafiir corn were deisignated lot I, and those to which meal was to be fed as lot II. The eX- oeriment did not begin until January 5th, but from the time they were divided both lots were fed on the feeds that were to comprise the test ra- tion. The grain feed having commenced on December 16th, on December 29th the cattle were eating per head as follows: 11 ‘Lot. I. 21 pounds ltatfir corn meal, 4 pounds cotton seed, and kafiir corn stover. ' Lot Il. pounds ltailir‘ corn meal, 3 pounds cotton seed meal, and kaflir corn stover. This is bringing cattle. up to feed more quickly than is ordinarily consider-ed safe, but these were mature steers, were eating freely of the roughage and were never allowed more than they would clean up Within an hour and a half after feeding. By getting them on full feed in this time they were ready for market much sooner than they would otherwise have been. This system, hoxvever, is not preferable when it is desired to place dependence upon a more nutritious form of roughage, as the heavy grain feed causes the cattle to consume small amounts of the hay or f-odder. Throughout this test the roughage consisted of threshed kaflir corn stalks and bundled fodder, which was fed in the grain bunks. Feeding the grain 0n top of the roughness caused the former to be eaten more slowly and prevented it-s being blown away. Undoubtedly a larger amount of roughage could have been utilized if fed in separate racks and renewed daily. . On January 5th, the day the cattle were weighed and the experiment begun. lot I was still receiving per head 21 pounds of kaftir corn meal and four pounds of cotton seed, while the ration for lot II was 21 pounds of katiir corn and four pounds cotton seed meal per head. Be- tween January Sth and 12th, lot I was carried up to five pounds of cot- ton seed, the corn reni-aining the same. At the same time lot ll was Roughage Fed raised to 22 pounds of kattir corn meal and their cotton seed meal re- duced to three pounds per head. These amounts remained tinchangetl until l\Iarch 7th. 0n this date the feed of both lots was increased as it was expected they would he marketed at the end of the month All changes were made very gradually and only as considered‘ safe luyr the feeder, who watched the animals closely, at all times being guid- ed by their appetites and the‘ condition of the droppings. None of the steers refused. their feed at any time, but the lot receiving cotton seed meal met the feed xvagon more eagerly‘ and clear ed up their feel IIIOTQ quickly than the others. 0n January 5th, the average weight of steers in each lot was 1,114 pounds; when weighed on February 4th lot l showed gain of seventy-two pounds per head and lot II 63 pounds. From February 4th to INIarch 6th lot I gained 111 pounds and lot II 9t) potinds each. The test closed on IVIflTCh 30th, on which day the cattle were loaded for shipment to Kan- sas City. The summary of the experiment is shown herewith : Weighing 12 TABLE IV. RESULTS OF ElGHTY-FOUR DAY TEST OP COTTON SEED AND COTTON SEED MEAL AS SUP- PLEMENT OF A KAFFIR CORN RATION. TTTT ‘T No. of l Av- Weight at No. of I Feed eaten Total l Average daily Food cost per Lot i Start steers l per lot gain Q gain per steer pound gain* “uvue s“. ~~~~~~~ m.» fl WE»; ~ I g 111m lbs. so 190565 lbs Kaf-l 13080 3.1lbs 6.2 cts. 5 fir corn, ground. ‘ f ‘21815 lbs cotton i ‘ seed u 1114% lbs. so 9513s lbs. Kaf; 1015s 2.41m § as cts. ~ fir corn, ground} , l 13930 lbs cot-; ; l y ;.on seed meal l - l l > éy“ V_ m y V_ >? " Value of roughage not included. In determining the cost of gains in the above table feeds were charged at these prices: Kaflir Corn Meal, per cwt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .750 . Per ton. Cotton Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 Cotton Seed Meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26.00 The roughage was not Weighed, and is not included in the cost of gains. In this test 21,815 pounds cotton seed was very considerably su- perior to 13,930 pounds meal and the extra 4,570 pounds kaffir corn fed to llot lI. The cotton seed cattle also sold for 5e per hundred more than the meal fed cattle. The shrinkage in shipping and killing, how~ ever, is in favor of the other lot. This point is discussed further be- low. The final Clarendon weights were taken on Saturday morning, March 30th, and it is these weights that were used in estimating total gains in Table IV. The afternoon of the day before the cattle Were to be shipped they were given a large fee-d of pea-vines and hay and only one-half grain feed on that evening. On the morning of shipping day they were given only one-fourth of the grain feed and more roughage. 'l‘h-ey were loaded on Saturday afternoon and did not pass over the scales for sale in the Kansas City Stock Yards until eleven o'clock '1 uesday rriorning, over sixty hours after loading. They were unloaded and fed by the railroad con:- pany at Emporia, Kansas, Monday morning. They were allowed feed and water until ‘Monday night, and arrived at Kansas City next morning not in a very presentable condition nor empty enough to take on a good fill. The cotton seed cattle sustained an average shrinkage of 133 pound-s per head. and the meal fed cattle 99 potuids, or 9.2 and 7.5 per cent respectively. Could it have been known that the shipment could not be delivered. in the market within thirty-six h-ours after load- ing, the unloading for feed could have been done earlier, thus brinqiitg the cattle into market after a longer run and securing a more reason- able fill and a lighter shrinkage from the home weights. Shipping i’ Dressing l3 Lot l ( fed cotton seed ) sold by Cridet Bros. Commission Co. to the St. Louis Union Pack- ing Co., at $5.20 per cwt. Lot ll (fed cotton seed meal) was sold by Geo. It. Barse Commission Co. to Morris & Co. Selling at $5.15 per cwt. The following letters from the packers show how the cattle were esti- mated on the hooks: it a ._ St. Louis, April 4th, 1.907. i Crider Bros. Commission Co., Stock Yards Station, Kansas City, Kan. i i‘ - Gentlemen: “lye. beg to advise you that the fifty head of cattle o which you asked us to report, dressed as follows: Pounds. Live “teight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H1249 Dead Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7&9 y . Per cent Dressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Cost, in the beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$S 90 llcef rough; hips and shoulders more or less bruised. ‘ Yours truly, l‘). V. B. (Signed) St. Louis Union Packing Co, C. D. llliddlebrook. Kansas City, Kas, April 9, 1907. Ceo. H. Barsc Commission Co, Exchange Building", Kansas City, Mo. (icntlemcn: We shipped out the last of these cattle yesterday. Same were divided up on seven of our Eastern markets. They ribbed down every good and were a nice, meaty’ bunch of cattle, {lie ribs and ‘gins being exceptionallyr goods There were six bad hip bruises, most likely caused in transit. For 'l‘exas-fed stock they were ‘about as good a bunch of cattle as we have had. Folloiving are the Weights and dressings: Pounds. Live Weight ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X30830‘ Dressed Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IISTI7lJL Average Live Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1216 Average Dressed Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 75% Dressing 62» per cent, which is exceptionally good. Morris 8a Company. Dcducting from the total receipts of this transaction the cost of the {cotton seed and meal, the expense of market and the original value of steers at $32.00 61Cll. we Fnd that the kamr corn meal fed with cot'on seed returned $1.34 per hundred, and that fed with cotton seed meal $1.12 per hundred. Charging the kaffir corn meal to the cattle at 75c per hundred, after all shipping expense is taken out, we find the owner of these cattle received $43.20 per head for those in lot I’, and $39.00 per . head for the others. . . 1 l lf .t|‘ k=rlllkf . , fivfutafli; .1 owpmw h “>46 nnmcmx E Yo” n9» Y5 w zotoU wcw EoU hEmx no wow acuEtuaxm concwbfiU E I 34 uEwCaEoU wEBw 3am .2 Q53 wrvém Z. 32w wSQm Oisvlwmsm r3 I 5 firufimsmo: m5.2._=§:. m3 o: Rum? Ocq: wan O33: mama 3m»: $3005 13 3.5 n3 v5.93 - . 16 EXPERIMENT III. LIGHT YIERSUS MEDIUM. FEED OF COTTON SEED CAKE FOR SUPPLEMENTING A KAFFIR CORN RATION FOR TWO-YEAR-OLD STEERS. This experiment was conduct-ed in the early months of 1906, at Chan- ining, 'I‘exas. The reptvrt which follows was published in the form of a press bulletin after the experiment closed, and is reprinted here to complete discussfionygyof subject. REPORT EXPERIMENT CONDUCTED BY THE TEXAS EXPISIEHILYNH.‘ STATION IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE I. T. RANCH AT CHANNING, TEXAS. While the old-time ranch inethotls are fast passing away, ‘and should do so, the Panhandle should ever remain a stock country. It should ‘remain a stock countryj because it is naturally well fitted for a breed- ing ground, because the dry, mild winters are favorable for the finish- ing of this stock, and because the feeding of the stock will afford a honze IIIiUlZL-"i for the crops that will be raised in the I’anhandle, and "which should be fed there for the ultimate good of the land. Furthcrntore, some of the crops that are proving themselves to be best arhipttetl to this locality are new to the country, and have, as yet, no established place in the general markets. , To obtain some information as to the value of these crops (milo maize and l-taflir corn) as the basis of rations for fattening cattle, and xalso to zest the practiealiility’ of grain feeding steers at this distance from a gezieral market. an experiment was conducted at the X. I. T. Ranch at Charming. commencing January 20, 1906. 'ort_v steers, coiningj two years old, were divided into two lots. Lot I was fed a grain ration containing about eight and a half per cent by wveiglit of cotton seed cake, and the remainder a mixture of ground rnilo maize and ltatlir corn The roughage used was sorghum hay, kaflir Scorn and milo maize fodder, and for a short time some millet hay. The roughage was not weighed, but kept in full racks where all the steers could go to it when they wanted to. Tot II we» foil the sane as lot I, except that they got a larger pro- portion of cotton seed cake. . _ There we“e tei high-grade Angus and ten high- K‘“‘l;§:dC“ttI° grade Hereferds in each lot. These steers had eaven some grain feed in the early months of 1905. but had never been highly fed. and from early summer until a few days before the experiment started had been in the regular steer pastures. The Herefords averaged 626 pounds and were valued at $3.80 per hundred, while the Angus averaged 588.75 pounds and were con- sidered worth $4.00 per hundred when put into the lots. Many disadvantages were crreonntened during the crurse 0t the exneriment that affect the results. Owing to various delays 1n arranging the 17 quarters for the work, feeding was not begun until January 20th in- stead of November 1st, as had been planned. By this time the steers had passed, on the open range, one of the Worst months of the Winter and had taken a decided start on the down grade. ’l‘his late start threw a considerable pait of the feeding period into the hottest part of the season xvhen the quality of the roughage is poor and the flies are a very great annoyance to cattle. With the steers at hand it ms impossible to get as much uniformity in either quality or condition as is desirable in a lot of steers that are to be fed and marketed together. This was a decided handicap, as Was also, from the financial standpoint, the very light weight of the cattle. Owing to the presence of mange in the vicinity both lots were dipped during the second month of the feeding period. Amount of Grain A very light grain ration, 6.5 pounds per head Fed da.ly, was fed at the start. This contained cake in the proportions previously mentioned. About seven weeks was taken in getting up to a full feed. The heaviest feeding Was at the rate of l5 pounds per head daily. The following table summarizes the salient feature of the experiment. Cotton seed cake is charged at $1.10 per hundred. The litlflll‘ corn and milo maize charged at 75c per hundred, or 12c per bushel. “Phe roughe age was not weighed or valued, but the net returns are credited to show the value received for roughage When other feeds Were charged at above prices: ‘"7 TABLE I—-Weight= gains and feed consumed for each lot: I i ~ N0. of of i Av. Weight j Av. Weight Food Eaten j Total gain ; Daily gain A Lot Steers l Jan. 2O V July 2U _= by lot 1 per steer y per steer ‘j s- f . -1 _n__l n_._f.nf in l w. “W..-” An. 1____-"____ i i 1 1 20 i 602.25 pounds l 1048.5 pounds 14304- lbs cotLonl 446,24 ‘ Q47 ‘ n '6. u 1 seed c" ; $46099 lbs. Kaf- l ltir corn and milo l maize ‘ l a __-.-_..l _ l 2 2o l 597.6 pounds 1035.5 pounaslsssi lbs cotton 427.9 ; 2.42 l g seed cake ; y Y 444742 lbs. Kaf- l _1 ‘, - ltir corn and milo‘ ~ ‘ i maize i HOGS USED IN THE EXPERIMENT‘. At the beginning of the feeding, JUVGIItUY-EVQ hogs, weighing about 100 pu-onds each, were placed btahintl each lot o- steers. Until near the‘ close of the period the hogs received only What they got out of the droppings, but as they were not doing as Well as desired, the number in each lot was reduced on March 20th. . Fer a time before shipping the hogs Were fed some grain from the trough, the amounts of which are shown in ’l‘ablc ll, xvhich also shovrs the amount of pork made in each lot. The hogs Were sold at Fort Worth on June 18th at $6,410 per hundred. 18 TABLE II——Showing returns from hogs and total meat returns per acre of grain: Grain fed to hogs l Pork made l Beef made per* Beef and pork made* per steer ‘ acre of milo maize per acre of milo maize LCT l. 2197 lbs 109.75 lbs. 418.20 lbs. 497-3311";- LOTll 2130 lbs 114mg. R 42.21am. p S08.4'ilbs. * Based on a yield of 4O bushels per acre of milo maize- The experiment closed July 20th, at the end of six months. The cattle were by this time in contlition to make very nie_e beet, but owing to their thin e~ondition at the start, were not ripe enough to sell to the best zidvanttige on the market. As the commission salesman remarked after the sale at Kansz (lity, they were in a class too well filled, being in about the saute stztge of ripeness as the bulk of the grain fed cattle then coming tolmarket. That this would be the ease was realized before the cattle were shipped, and it was only because no more milo “or kaffir corn could be obtained that they were not carried to a higher finish. 'l‘he_\' sold in Kansas (‘ity for $5.05 per hundred. FINANCIAL OUTCOME. The net profits are shown in Tlable III. '.l‘he total cost of labor in- cluding teams for hauling all feed and grinding the grain amounted to $9.66 per head. This item is not included in 'I‘able III. TABLE III-Showing expenditures and receipts for the entire ex- periment: Value of steers Cost of grain _Total cost lProceeds of sale of‘ Balance* ‘ and pigs Jan 2O j consumed l steers and pigs > >_€ >1 __ _____ __ _ _,__ _ _ i_____? __ __{_ m l _ _ _ _ _ LOT 1 . $526.92 l $422 7s . $919.70 $1213.21 i $263.52 i . » LOT 2 i $516.26 a $425 9e swsz.‘ $1217.88 $252.66 * In computing the balance the roughage fed has not teen considerei. l. l. Edgzrkon, CH1 ll F. R. Vlarsuall. College statiqn. ICXPIIRIMIENTS AT OTHER h'l‘A'l‘l()}\'S. The ftillowinp; self-explanatory table is given as a. summary of ex- iperiments conducted at the Oklahoma and Kansas Experiment Stations: KAFFIR VERSUS INDIAN CORN FOR STEERS. ’ l . - a ‘“ a l ‘g l c- ‘ 264i 1 EU Feed Eaten. 5) 15E 5 >2 ‘=1’ Q: a "‘ Q ‘=4 "" d ' ‘ d >""' f; é’ 2 . é.‘ 3 ‘ >3’ z a 2*; z 13 <3, Kansas 67 S‘) 1 15967 5 10.16 175 16371 lbs. corn meal 1632 1.86 7864 lbs. Kaffir cum sh-ver 5- (715 lbs. Alfalfa luzy ’ " ()7 S‘) ‘2 “ 5 1021 “ 16271 lbs. Red K. corn 14‘)? 1.71 1 mea . ‘ ' 8837 lbs Kaffir corn’ ‘ stuver. 615lbs..‘\1f-1lfa “ 07 5) s " s 1 1025 1 " .152711115. White K5011 150:. 1.78 , cornmeal. 9376 lbs. Kalfir c0 n stover- 6151b . Alfalfa. 0km. 99-00 09 2 4 00-00 s 970 112 11001155. corn 11551. 1420 2 54 l 7210 lls. Alfalfa hay ‘ ' w» 1 l 5 ‘ 90171155. 1< Um 111551 1.10s 2 .14 (1414 lbs. Alfalfa hay. Okla. 99-00 6Q 4 " 5 ‘ ' “ 10456 lbs (‘nrn meal 1124 2.01 l 5786 lbs. Kaffr corn smver. " g “ ' ‘ 3 " S ' ‘ “ 1.L"O lbs. Kaflir corn 1254, 2.33 E . n ea . l . l 5321 lbs Kafilr c0111 l 1 1 stover. Okla. 00-01 99 2 1 00-01 l S 1026 151 13711 lbs. Corn meal 2066 ' 2.73 = l3b0-1- Alfalfa hay. l I _ " ‘ " 1 " 1 " 5 l 1026 " 15000105. K. corn 111551 2502 l 212 14257 lbs. Alfalfa hay. = ___ x . i a .. i- i Okla. § " ' ' - 4 ' ' 5 ~ ' ‘ l16960 lbs. corn meal 1785 1 2.38 ' ll7668 lbs. Kaffir corn , l stover. ‘ " l " " 3 " 5 l " Q1509 1155. K. C0111 111551 1150 : 2.33 . ‘ l l17892 lbs. Kaffiir corn 1 1 stover. l 8 l 842.5 ~ 1S2 ‘16016lbs Indian corn 2704 ‘ 2.22 , l .18;J40 lbs. Alfalfa. " " 1 ' ' 2 l " 1 s s51 " 149221155. Kaffil‘ col-n 2515 1 2.06 1 l l ‘18200 lbs. Alfalfa ' - l ‘ " 1 " %" 4 " l s s55 l1S‘Zl15978lbs.Ind’ancorn 111411.45 l16Gl7 lbs. Sorghum. l l ‘18200 lbs. K. corn hay ‘ " " “ 5 l " l s s55 , 152 11492011551950150111 131s 1.08 l ; l 1182001115- K. corn 115v l " i " " el " s l 8525 l 152 l1S724lbs. Indian 55ml 1401 1 1.15 l 1 l l17140 1155. sorghum l 1 l l l. ' l ' ' " 1 l " ; s l 743 152 131981bs.Kaffir corn 1 1124 1 1.05 ' - l l . l 1 I 20 The average daily gain from a kaffir corn ration is tiniformly a lit- tle lower than the gain made from Indian corn, except in cases Where a heavier ration of kaffir than of Indian corn xvas fed. The gains from either kafiir or Indian corn when fed with alfalfa hay are always greater than when kaffir corn stover, sorghum or prairie hay constitutes the roughage. 1n composition alfalfa resembles cotton seed meal, and the feeder who has a good supply of home grown alfalfa to feed with kaffir corn, does not need to purchase anything with which to balance the ration. SUGGESTIONS TO INEXPERIIENCEU) FEEDERS. ‘ We receive many inquiries from persons who have cattle and feed, but are entirely unfamiliar xvitli the business of finishing cattle for market. We make the following stiggstions: 1. That not more than one or two ears be fed the first season. 2. That only well bred cattle be used. 3. That only cattle of one age be fed in a lot and that they be grown steers. Calves and yearlings will return more gains from feeds of the char- acter of alfalfa, but will not thrive as well as older stock on a ration composed principally of corn. They are also more likely to get off feed. 4. That the feeding commence early in the fall. Cattle left in pasture until December are often losing flesh at that time and require considerable time in the feed lot to regain their former condition. No matter when the feeding is commenced, there is a dis- Tposition to market when the weather begins to get warm and other work demands attention. Cattle started late are only half or three- quarters fat at this time, sell low and discourage the owner. If started earlier the feeder would not be forced to ship, but after the stock was well along could wait for a favorable market or close out at any time a reasonable profit was certain. SUMMARY. I. Katlir corn and milo maize are not properly appreciated in the feed trade. II. Kat-lit corn and milo maize contain considerably less fat or oil than Indian corn; in other constituents the differences are not important. III. The protein and fat of’ KaPfir corn are much less easily digested than the same constituentt of Indian corn. IV. In the 1907 experiments Kafilr corn produced greater gain than milo maize with Indian corn in third place. V. In an experiment at Clarendon, twelve-dollar cotton seed Was more profitable than twenty-six dollar cotton seed meal for supplementing a kaf- fir corn ration.