LIBRARY, i AI & M COLLEGE. CAMPUS. A47-538-6M-L180 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION A. B. CONNER, DIRECTOR COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS BULLETIN NO. 564 MAY 1938 DIVISION OF RANGE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (In cooperation with Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture) STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS ' 1:1 a r2 A‘ R v lfiriculhlral 8. Mechanical College n: m as College Slam, 13x3; / AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS T. O. _WALTON, President * The use 0f good quality feeder steer calves in the fall to clean up field aftermath; winter feeding with silage, cottonseed meal, and a limited allowance of grain; grazing Sudan grass during the spring and summer; and finishing in drylot during the following fall with grain ration resulted in the utilization of large amounts of roughage and relatively small amounts of grain in the produc- tion of finished yearling beef steers. Ground ear corn had much greater value than ground hegari heads for fattening steer calves and yearlings. Ground ear corn produced more gain and a quicker and higher finish than ground hegari heads. Ground hegari stover and ground Sumac fodder were practically equal in feeding value when used in fattening rations. The ground hegari stover produced slightly more gain but less finish than the ground Sumac fodder. Supplementing Sudan grazing with liberal amounts of cotton- seed cake increased the rate of gain about one-third pound per head daily and‘ added finish so that the time required for fattening in drylot to good grade slaughter steers was lessened about thirty days. Calcium supplements fed in wintering rations and during periods of Sudan grazing did not increase gain or finish. The feeding of 0.10 pound pulverized limestone per head daily with fattening rations in drylot increased gain nine per cent in each of two tests. CONTENTS 1 Page Introduction and Object of Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . if Feeding Experiment with Corn and Sorghums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. First Feeding Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7,; Second Feeding Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Third Feeding Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15 Sudan Grazing with and without Cottonseed Cake in Fattening Yearling Steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18 -‘ First Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19 ; Second Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 20 " Grazing Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Finishing Period in Drylot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Third Trial, Using Calcium Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30. Winter Feeding Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31 Grazing Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33 j Finishing Period in Drylot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _35 Fourth Trial, Using Calcium Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38 Winter Feeding Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38 Grazing Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Finishing Period in Drylot. . .2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49 i Summary and Discussion of Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49 Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52 BULLETIN N0. 564 MAY 193s STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS by J. H. Jones,1 R. A. Hall} J. M. Jones,3 W. H. Black4 (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Division 0f Range Animal Hus- bandry, in Cooperation with Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture) Substation No. 1, Where these experiments were conducted, is located in the upper coast prairie of Texas and is adjacent to the Rio Grande Plain and the Corpus Christi farming area. The great bulk of land in the Rio Grande Plain is used for cattle grazing while in the Corpus Christi area there is a very heavy concentration of cotton acreage and considerable acreages of various feed crops. In the upper coast prairie cotton and corn predominate in the cropping systems but much of the land is untilled, and livestock and livestock products make up a large part of the farm income, with cattle mostly of beef type being the most important. Grain sorghums are grown in addition to corn and with the sweet sorghums provide most of the farm supply of dry roughages and silage. Sudan grass is widely grown for temporary pasturage. Because of the wide interest in cattle and feed crops throughout both areas, the Beeville Station began work in 1930 to develop information on problems related to farm beef ‘cattle production. The field of study has been limited largely to feeding for fattening which has been of such type as to take advantage of the feed resources of the small farm in the area. Roughage feeds and Sudan grazing have been extensively used in the program of developing and finishing a group of steers on the Station farm each year. In developing and fattening steer calves and yearlings, several problems of feeding and management have been studied. This work has included studies of (1) the feeding values of ground ear corn vs. ground hegari heads and of ground Sumac fodder vs. ground hegari stover; (2) the value of calcium supplement in winter maintenance feeding, with Sudan grazing and in drylot fattening; and (3) the value of cottonseed cake as a supple- ment to Sudan grazing. FEEDING EXPERIMENT WITH CORN AND SORGHUMS The object of the experiment was to determine the relative feeding values of (1) ground hegari heads and ground ear corn (shuck included), and (2) ground Sumac fodder (heads included), and ground hegari stover (heads removed). lAnimal Husbandman, Division of Range Animal Husbandry, Texas Agricultural Experi- ment Station; ZSuperintendent, Substation No. 1, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Beeville; sChief, Division of Range Animal Husbandry, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station; ‘Senior Animal Husbandman, in charge Beef- and Dual-Purpose Cattle Investi- gations, Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 6 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION The experiment comprised a series of three feeding trials in which ' comparisons were repeated. In the second and third trials a study of i’ influence of a calcium supplement was carried on in connection with other comparisons. ‘ Feeds Used.—The Sumac fodder and hegari stover were grown on A Station farm, but most of the hegari heads and ear corn were purcha from adjacent farms. Nearly all the corn used was of the white varieti The analyses of feeds for the 1930-32 feeding trials are shown in Table 1.1] » Table 1. Analyses* of feeds used in 1930-32 feeding trials Chemical Composition Mineral Content Feeds Crude Insol. Protein Fat Fiber N. F. E. Water Ash Ash Calcium % % ‘Z; % % /o % % 1930-31: Ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.68 3 63 10.13 65.66 10.05 1.84 49 .029 Hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8.91 1.91 11.49 63.61 10.01 4.07 1 94 .129 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . 44.99 7.13 9.94 26.60 6.10 5.24 .164 Hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.60 2.18 27.96 48.13 9.12 8.02 5 06 .357 Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.20 2 52 28.08 47.94 10.12 7.14 4 57 .343 1931-32: Ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9 .25 3.22 9.62 66.29 10.25 1.37 .33 .021 Hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.46 2.04 8.10 66.51 10.69 3.20 1.84 .064 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . 43.63 6.54 11.17 26.20 7.33 5.13 .04 .150 Hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.74 1.97 28.78 45.31 8.25 9.96 5.25 .407 Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.88 2.07 24.57 45.55 15.67 7.26 3.93 .300 ‘Supplied by Division of Chemistry, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. It is noted in Table 1 that the ear corn and hegari heads fed during 1930-31 experiments were similar in composition except that the ear co contained about 1.75 times as much fat as the hegari heads. The hegarfi stover and Sumac fodder were also quite similar in composition except thaé the Sumac fodder was appreciably higher in water. Method of Feeding.—The ground ear corn or hegari heads, grouifi roughages, and cottonseed meal were mixed together and fed in open fe troughs twice daily. The steers were fed as much of the whole ration as they would eat. The percentage of the grain in the ration gradually increased as they continued on feed according to their conditio The 43% protein cottonseed meal was fed at an approximate rate of 33,; pounds daily per 1,000 pounds liveweight. Perhaps larger gains would} have resulted had the cottonseed meal been fed in greater amounts, sincej the rations were bulky and much of the roughages fed were of poor quality; Granulated stock salt was fed free-choice. The pulverized limestone was mixed in the ration. Feed Prices Per Ton.——The feeds used were charged to the steers at the average of current farm prices for the period" of feeding. Table 2 lists the prices charged for feeds for each feeding trial. A It is observed that farmers valued ear corn higher than hegari heads, and Sumac fodder higher than hegari stover. The average rated per- centage values of hegari heads to ear corn and of hegari stover to Sumac STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 7 Table 2. Feed prices per ton Year 1930-31 1931-32 1932 Average Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. S 17.11 3 9.56 3 9.00 $ 11.89 Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.00 7.25 8.00 9.42 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.00 6.00 5.25 7.42 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.00 4.50 4.50 6.00 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.00 20.00 17.00 22.67 Salt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 20. 00 20.00 20.00 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12 00 12 00 20.00 14.67 fodder for the three feeding trials were 79 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively. First Feeding Trial Thirty good quality Hereford steer calves, average weight 428 pounds, were purchased in the vicinity of Beeville, Texas, at 8.4 cents per pound, and were delivered to the Station October 25, 1930. The calves gained an average of 54 pounds per head during a 32-day period of grazing on field aftermath with some supplemental feeding. After this time they were divided into three uniform groups of ten each and placed on feed in drylot. Table 3 is a record of the rations fed. Table 3. Average daily rations* and gains in pounds per head Lot 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Average No. Rations 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 14 days 154 days Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8.45 10.05 10.09 11.34 13.15 12.99 10.83 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.54 2.19 1.91 1.79 2.00 2.00 1.90 1 Ground Simac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7.52 7.01 6.36 6.08 4.87 4.85 6.21 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.60 54.89 58.89 66.33 53.89 8.22 316.82 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.66 1.96 2.10 2.37 1.92 0.59 2.06 Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8.45 10.05 10.10 11.34 13.15 13.41 10.87 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.45 2.19 1.91 1.79 2.00 2.00 1.90 2 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7.38 6.83 6.50 6.15 5.57 5.34 6.39 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 76.84 56.30 59.00 54.40 57.80 18.74 323.08 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.74 2.01 2.11 1.94 2.06 1.34 2.10 Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.45 10.43 10.85 12.29 14.28 14.57 11.56 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.54 2.19 1.91 1.79 2.00 2.00 1.90 3 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7.52 7.02 6.65 6.36 6.21 6.60 6.73 I Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 73.90 38.60 51.90 55.10 61.30 23.00 303.60 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.64 1.38 1.85 1.97 2.19 1.64 1.97 ‘Based on feeds consumed. Each lot received .10 lbs. pulverized limestone per head daily. The steer calves were started on feed quickly because they were accus- tomed to feed and were in good flesh when placed in the feedlot. Representative samples of ear corn and hegari heads contained 78.3 per cent and 74.7 per cent of grain, respectively. Table 4 is a summary of the feeding trial. Discussion.—-Lot 2, which was fed ground ear corn, made 6 per cent and 15 per cent more gain on the basis of feedlot and market weights, respec- 8 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION pastured by steer calves, 1930. FIGURE 1. Second growth kafir after being FIGURE 2. Feeder calves after 32 days of pasturage and supplemental feeding, at s 0f drylot fattening period, 1930-31: Average wt. 476 lbs. ' STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS tively, than Lot 3, which received ground hegari heads. Dressed yields of the two lots were practically equal but finish favored ground ear corn, as indicated by 5.2 per cent greater selling price, 1.8 pounds more internal fat per head, and higher carcass grades for Lot 2. It required 13 per cent and 22 per cent more ground hegari heads than ground ear corn to produce a hundred Weight of gain on the basis of feedlot and market Weights, respectively. Table 4. Summary first feeding trial, Nov. 26, 1930 to April 29, 1931—154 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9** 10 10 f Ear corn Ear corn Hegari heads Feeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal l Sumac fodder Hegari stover Hegari stover Averages in pounds per steer: Initial weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476 483 482 Final weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793 806 786 Market-weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757 757 720 Gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 323 304 Gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 274 238 Daily gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. 06 2.10 1.97 Daily gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.82 1.78 1.54 Shrinkage enroute market, pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 49 66 Shrinkage enroute market, per cent.. . . . 4 . 85 6.03 8 .43 Carcass weight, cold‘ 431 431 409 Dressing per cent, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57.0 56.9 56.8 Carcass grades: (top medium to good) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 1 (me 'um) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8 7 (fair) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Total feed consumed: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1668 1674 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1780 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292 292 292 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 984 1037 Sal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.54 9.00 6.6 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.9 14.9 14.9 Feed required per cwt. gain, feedlot weights: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526 518 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 90 96 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 342 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7.59 $ 7.20 3 6.84 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .57 8.47 8.76 Financial Statement: Cost into feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 39 .99 S 40.53 8 40.50 Feed cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 24.23 23.46 20.93 Marketing cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.88 3.88 3.88 Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.10 67.87 65.31 Selling price per cwt? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 .75 7.75 7 .35 Amount received. . . .'. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.64 58.67 52.88 Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.46 9 .20 12.43 *Hot weight less 2%. “One steer died as a result of urinary calculi. Feed prices per ton: Ground ear corn, $17.11; ground hegari heads, 313; ground Sumac fodder, $11; ground hegari stover, $9; cottonseed meal, $31; salt, $20; pulverized limestone, $12. The Lot 3 steers consumed 0.69 pound more hegari heads per head daily than Lot 2 consumed of ground ear corn. On the basis of 78.3 per cent and 74.7 per cent grain in ear corn and hegari heads, respectively, the 10 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION FIGURE 3. Lot 1 at close of drylot feeding, 1930-31. Average wt. 793 lbs. Compare with steers fattened in 1934-35. FIGURE 4. Lot 2 at close of drylot feeding, 1930-31. Average wt. 806 lbs. FIGURE 5. Lot 3 at close of drylot feeding, 1930-31. Average wt. 786 lbs. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 11 Lot 3 steers received 18.3 pounds more grain per head in the 154 days of feeding. The steers fed hegari heads (Lot 3) 10st $3.23 per head more than Lot 2, fed ground ear corn. The current farm feed prices rated hegari heads as of 24 per cent less value than ear corn, but with corn at $17.11 per ton the two lots would have made the same financial return only if hegari heads had been charged at $9.37 per ton, or 54.8 per cent of the price of the corn. Ground Sumac fodder and ground hegari stover produced practically the same gain and finish. Prevailing farm prices rated Sumac fodder as 22 per cent more valuable. In this trial Sumac fodder could have been charged at 16 per cent higher price than hegari stover for the two com- pared lots, Lots 1 and 2, to make equal financial return, since more hegari stover than Sumac fodder was required in the production of 100 pounds of gain. Second Feeding Trial Forty high-grade Hereford steer calves purchased in the vicinity of Alice, Texas, average Weight 418 pounds, were divided into four uniform lots of ten each and placed on feed December 2, 1931. A record of their feeding is shown in Table 5. Table 5. Average daily rations* and gains in pounds per head Lot _ 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Av. for No. Ration 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 14 days 182 days Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.14 4.69 7.04 10.17 13.19 14.06 14.58 9.32 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.32 1.50 1.55 1.56 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.59 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . .. 8.30 7.06 5.40 5.40 3 .35 2.83 3.00 5.29 1 Pulverized limestone. . . .. . . .. .10 .10 .10 .10 .10 .10 .10 .10 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .40 .61 .48 .48 .46 .64 .38 .50 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45 76 41.33 53 22 56.55 59.90 41.00 29 70 327.46 Average daily gain.. . .. 1 63 1.48 1 90 2.02 2.14 1.46 2 12 1.80 Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.14 4.98 7.31 10.42 13.42 14.07 14 59 9.48 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.32 1 50 1.55 1.75 1.75 1.75 1 75 1.61 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . .. 8 10 7.49 6.32 5.81 4.88 4.47 4 50 6.05 2 Pulverized limestone . 10 . 10 . 10 . 10 10 10 10 . 10 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . .’ . . . . . . . . . . . 19 58 32 .64 .72 80 32 54 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . .. 48.14 38.80 46 10 68.90 62.70 62.00 22.30 348.99 Average daily gain.. . .. 1.72 1.39 1 65 2.46 2 24 2.21 1.60 1.92 Ground hegari and kafir heads 3 .95 4.67 7.30 10.42 13.43 14.34 15.09 9.49 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.32 1.50 1.55 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.61 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . .. 8.91 8.37 7. 64 6.48 5.50 5.50 5.20 6.92 3 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . .10 .10 .10 . 10 .10 .10 .10 . alt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 .74 .80 .96 .88 1.28 46 78 Total gain............. 51.50 44 70 36.80 70.10 64.10 60.60 22 18 349.98 Average daily gain. . .. 1.84 1 60 1.31 2.50 2.29 2.16 1 58 1.92 Ground hegari and kafir heads 3.95 4 67 7.30 10.42 13.43 14.34 15 09 9.49 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.32 1.50 1.55 1.75 1.75 1.75 1 75 1.61 4 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . 8.00 8.25 7.83 6.48 5.50 5.50 5.20 6.79 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 .98 . .80 .80 .74 .48 .77 .74 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46.40 39.60 37.40 64.00 53 20 o2 90 26.68 320 18 Average daily gain . . . . .. 1.66 1.41 1.34 2.29 1 90 1 89 1.91 1 76 ‘Based on feeds consumed. 12 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION The supply of hegari heads was exhausted after the first 140 days of feeding, having been replaced by red kafir heads during the final 42 days of feeding. Shelling and threshing percentages of representative samples of ear corn and heads (hegari and kafir) were 75 and 82.4, respectively. On this basis the groups fed ground heads received an average of .75 pound more grain per head daily than the groups fed ground ear corn. Table 6 is a summary of the feeding trial. Table 6. Summary second feeding trial, Dec. 2, 1931, to June 1, 1932——182 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 4 Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9** 10 10 10 g Ear corn Ear corn Hegari heads Hegari heads Feeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal l Sumac fodder Hegari stover Hegari stover Hegari stover L Limestone Limestone Limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Averages in pounds per steer: Initial weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . 423 417 417 417 Final weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . 751 766 767 737 Market weight at Ft. Worth . . . . . . . . 709 715 719 686 Gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . 328 349 350 320 Gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . 286 298 302 269 Daily gain, basis feedlot weights. . . . . 1.80 1.92 1.92 1.76 Daily gain, basis market weights. . . . . 1.57 1.64 1.66 1.48 Shrinkage enroute market, pounds. . . 42 51 48 51 Shrinkage enroute market, per cent. . 5.57 6. 69 6.30 6.97 Carcass weight, cold* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407 412 402 388 Dressing percentage, basis market wts. 57 .5 57. 6 55 .9 56. 6 Carcass grades: Medium . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low medium . . . . . . 5 5 7 9 Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 2 1 Total feed consumed: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1697 1726 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari and kafir heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1726 1726 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 294 294 294 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1101 1260 1236 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.2 18.2 18.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Salt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5.6 6.25 9.0 8.4 Feed required per cwt. gain, feedlot wts: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518 495 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Ground hegari and kafir heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493 539 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 84 84 82 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 360 386 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $ 4.29 S 3 .96 3 3.50 S 3.77 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, basis market weig s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.92 4.65 4.05 4.48 Financial Statement: Cots into feedlot at $5.64 per cwt. .. . 3 23 .87 S 23 .51 $ 23 .54 $ 23.53 Feed cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.06 13.84 12.24 12.06 Marketing cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.34 3.34 3.34 3.34 Total cost per steer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.27 40.69 39.12 38.93 Receipts at $5.50 per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . 38.99 39 .30 39.54 37.73 Profit or loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. -—2.28 —1.39 0.42 ~1.00 *H0t weight less 2%. **One unthrifty steer removed. Feed prices per ton: ground Sumac fodder, $6; ground hegari stover, $4.50; pulverized limestone, $12; salt, $20. Ground ear corn, $9.56; ground hegari and kafir heads, $7.25; cottonseed meal, $20; STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS is FIGURE 6. Lot 1 at close of feeding trial, 1931-32. Average wt. 751 lbs. FIGURE 7. Lot 2 at close of feeding trial, 1931-32. Average wt. 766 lbs. 14 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION FIGURE 8. Lot 3 at close of feeding trial, 1931-32. Average wt. 737 lbs. FIGURE 9. Lot 4 at close of feeding trial 1931-32. Average wt. 737 lbs. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 15 Discussi0n.—As shown -in Table 6, gains of Lots 2 and 3, fed ground ear corn and ground hegari heads respectively, were practically equal on the basis of feedlot and market weights; but Lot 2 carcasses averaged 10 pounds heavier and were of higher grade. The steers in the two lots were fed the same amounts of ear corn and hegari heads, 1726 pounds, but with 75 and 82.4 per cent grain in the respective feeds, Lot 3 received 128 pounds more grain per head than Lot 2. Both lots sold at the same price and with corn charged at 31 per cent higher price than the hegari heads, Lot 3 returned $1.81 more per head. Had equal prices been charged for the two feeds, a slight advantage would have resulted for Lot 2 because of a lower consumption of roughage. In the comparison between Lots 1 and 2, ground hegari stover produced slightly more gain and was more palatable than the ground Sumac fodder. It was charged at 25 per cent lower price than the Sumac fodder but at the same price for both roughages, financial return would have been prac- tically equal for the two lots. In the test with the calcium supplement (Lots 3 and 4), Lot 3, fed 0.10 pound pulverized limestone per head daily, gained an average of 30 pounds, or 9 per cent, more on the basis of feedlot weights, and 33 pounds, or 12 per cent, more on the basis of market weights. Third Feeding Trial Thirty-six Medium grade Hereford steers, average weight 726 pounds, were used. At time of division into feedlot groups, 12 steers were in rather thin flesh and 24* were in good flesh. The four feedlot groups were selected so that 6 fleshy steers and 3 thin steers were in each group. The thin steers did not finish with the fleshy steers and were fed for an addi- tional 56 days. Table 7 presents a record of the feeding by periods for the 36 steers for the first 112 days. Twenty-four of the thirty-six head used in the feeding trial had made large gains on Sudan pasturage. These gains probably reduced the rate of gain in the feedlot. Table 8 gives a summary of this feeding trial for 112 days, but does not include the 12 thin steers, 3 steers in each lot, which required 56 days’ additional feeding for fattening, except that the total feed consumed per head is given as an average for 9 steers instead of 6 steers. The number of steers, 6 head per lot, and the length of feeding period, 112 days, were both insufficient for the results to be considered significant; however, the results were in general agreement with those of the two previous tests. Lots 2 and 3, Table 8, are compared with respect to the feeding value of ground ear corn and ground hegari heads. Lot 2, fed ground ear corn and hegari stover, made a larger gain than any other lot and a much larger gain than Lot 3, fed ground hegari heads and hegari stover. Gain *Used in the first test of Sudan grazing with and without cottonseed cake. 16 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Table 7. Average daily ratlons* and gains in pounds per head Lot 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Av. for A N0. Ration 28 days 2R days 28 days 28 days 112 days V Ground ear corn ........................... .. 9.04 12.64 16.11 19.47 14.32 I Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.13 2.49 2.56 2.51 2.42 Y Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.51 9.98 8.05 6.69 9.81 1 Pulverized oyster shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 .10 .10. .10 .10 -‘ Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26 45 .32 26 .32 j. Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46.40 56 00 64.80 58 00 225.20 _ Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.66 2 00 2.31 2 07 2.01 . Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 .04 12.64 16.11 19.47 14.32 i Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.13 2.49 2.56 2.51 2.42 i‘ Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.86 9.42 8.01 7.75 9 76 .._ 2 Pulverized oyster shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .10 .10 .10 .10 4 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .26 .45 .32 .32 .34 g Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 50.90 63 70 56.80 67.30 238.70 i Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.82 2 27 2.03 2.40 2.13 _' Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.04 12 64 16.85 20.64 14.79 ‘ Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.13 2 49 2.56 2 51 2.42 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.24 9.71 7.94 7.91 9.95 . 3 Pulverized oyster shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .10 .10 .10 .10 .10 alt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .26 .45 .32 .38 .35 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 48.50 53 60 43.00 55.00 200.10 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.73 1 91 1.54 1.97 1.79 Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.04 12 64 16.85 20.66 14.80 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.13 2 49 2.56 2 51 2.42 4 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.30 9.93 8.35 8.35 10.23 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\. . . .26 .45 .32 .45 .37 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52.10 34.10 57 70 54.80 198.70 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.86 1.22 2.06 1.96 1.77 3 *Based on feeds consumed. for Lot 2 exceeded the gain for Lot 3 by 26 per cent on the basis of feedlot weights and 24 per cent on the basis of market Weights. In the comparison between Sumac fodder and hegari stover, Lots 1 and 2 i. respectively, Lot 2 had an advantage in gain of 10 per cent on basis of 1; feedlot weights and 15 per cent on basis of market weights. Both lots sold at the same price but Lot 1 had slightly higher dressing percentage g and was more desirable in carcass grade. This is a wider difference than shown in either of the previous trials. I In the test with calcium supplement, Lot 3, fed 0.10 pound pulverized a oyster shell per head daily, made 3 per cent greater gain, basis feedlot ; weights, and 9.6 per cent on basis of market weights. There was little dif- ‘Y ference in finish as shown by carcass grades and dressed yields; howeverii Lot 3 sold for slightly higher price so that financial return favored feeding the supplement by $1.41 per head. Discussion and Results.—The 26 steers fed ground ear corn in the three trials made an average of 6 per cent and 9 per cent more gain on the basis of feedlot and market weights respectively than the 26 steers fed the ground hegari heads. The average carcass weights were 21 pounds or 5 per cent greater for the steers fed corn, being 10 pounds greater even in the second STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 1'7 Table 8. Summary, third feeding trial, Aug. 19 to Dec. 9, l932—112 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 2 3 4 Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6 6 6 6 Ear corn Ear corn Hegari heads Hegari heads Feeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal Cottonseed meal Sumac fodder Hegari stover Hegari stover Hegari stover Oyster shell Oyster shell Oyster shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Averages in pounds per steer: Initial weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . 782 788 782 787 Final weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1009 1037 980 979 Market weight at Ft. Worth . . . . . . . . 943 973 931 923 Gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . 227 249 19S 192 Gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . 161 185 149 136 Daily gain, basis feedlot weights. . . . . 2.03 2.22 1.77 1.71 Daily gain, basis market weights. . . . . 1 44 1.66 1.33 1.21 Shrinkage enroute market, pounds. . . 66 64 49 56 Shrinkage enroute market, per cent. . 6. 6.13 4.97 5.74 Carcass weight, cold* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555 570 535 1 Dressed yield, basis market weights. . 58.8 58.6 57.5 57.6 Carcass grades: Medium to good. . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . edium . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 3 3 Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 2 3 Total feed consumed: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1603 1603 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1657 1657 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 271 271 271 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1098 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1093 1114 1146 Pulverized oyster shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 . 2 11.2 11 . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.6 Feed required per cwt. gain, feedlot wts: round ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 704.6 643 .8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 837.3 863.9 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 119.1 108.8 136.9 140.8 Ground Sumac fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439 562 .9 597.5 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, feedlot weights S 5.51 S 4.86 3 5.85 $ 6.02 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, market weights 7.76 6.53 7.75 8.51 Financial Statement: Cost into feed lot at 32.9545 . . . . . . . . $ 23.10 3 23 .28 S 23.09 8 23 .25 Feed cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12.53 12.11 11.57 11.54 Marketing cost at $0.472 per cwt. . . . 4.45 ‘4.59 4.39 4.35 Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 40.08 39.98 39.05 39.14 Selling price per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.75 4.75 4.625 4.50 Amount received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.81 46.23 43.05 41.51 Profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.73 6.25 4.00 2.37 *Hot weight less 2% shrinkage. Feed prices per ton: Ground ear corn, $9.00; ground hegari heads, $8; cottonseed meal, $17; ground Sumac fodder, $5.25; ground hegari stover, $4.50; pulverized oyster shell, $20; salt, $20. feeding trial when hegari-fed steers showed equal gain on basis of both feedlot and market Weights. The ground ear corn produced quicker finish and more finish as shown by higher dressing percentages, higher grades of carcasses, and slightly higher selling price. In the three feeding trials it required an average of 13 per cent more ground hegari heads than ground ear corn to produce 100 pounds of gain on basis of feedlot Weights and 16 per cent more on basis of market weights. For the three feeding trials, on basis of market weights and prices, hegari heads needed to be priced an average of 28 per cent less than ear 18 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL’ EXPERIMENT STATION corn to make equal financial return. per cent greater than that of hegari heads. The average farm price for Sumac fodder was 24 per cent greaterthanii Results show that the twoi Hegari stover was more pal- atable and produced slightly more gain, but not quite as much finish as that of hegari stover during the three tests. roughages were practically equal in value. Sumac fodder. The feeding of 0.10 pound pulverized limestone or pulverized oyster shell per head daily increased gain approximately 9 per cent in each of the two tests, one with fattening calves 184 days and the other with long-aged yearling steers fed 112 days, but made no appreciable increase in finish. Financial results were decidedly unfavorable for the first two years of Ell’. feeding when feeder steer calves were purchased and fattened in drylot. The steer yearlings fed after a period of Sudan grazing in 1932 returned a profit. SUDAN GRAZING WITH AND WITHOUT COTTONSEED CAKE IN FATTENING YEARLING STEERS The grazing trials herein reported were planned to determine (1) whether Sudan grazing should be supplemented with cottonseed cake when grazed by yearling steers, and (2) whether calcium supplements should be included in rations during the development of calves into fattened yearlings. FIGURE 10. Sudan grass of desirable growth for grazing. Large amounts of roughage have been used in producing fattened steer yearlings at this Station. High grade feeder steer calves are purchased in the fall. They are used to clean up crop aftermath and are winter fed on silage and dry roughages supplemented by cottonseed meal and a lim- ited amount of grain. Sudan grazing becomes available in April and provides pasturage until late summer. When the Sudan grazing is ex- hausted the yearling feeders are finished in drylot. During the period in which these A tests were conducted the average farm price per ton of ear corn was 26 STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 19 In order to complete the information gained by feeding the calcium supplement during winter maintenance, grazing, and drylot fattening pe- riods, samples of harvested feeds, Sudan grass, and native grasses were analyzed for chemical composition including mineral content. The soils from which the samples were collected were of the Goliad series under which caliche is found at depths of 1 to 4 feet. However, neither the soils nor subsoils, as a rule, are calcareous in their reaction to hydrochloric acid above the caliche. First Trial (May 12 to July 7, 1932—56 days) This study began in the spring of 1932 with the purchase of a group of Medium grade, thin-fleshed Hereford steers. Twenty-four steers used in the test out of 36 purchased averaged 581.5 pounds per head when started on Sudan grazing. They were divided as equally as possible into two groups of 12 head each, one group receiving an average of 1.52 pounds of cotton-- seed cake per head daily for the 56-day grazing period. Each steer had approximately one acre of Sudan grazing. Table 9 is a record of the Sudan grazing period. The large gain made the first 28 days included much fill since the steers were quite thin when started on grazing. Table 9. Sudan grazing test: Average daily rations and gains in pounds per head, May 12 to July 7, 1932 5 / 12—6/ 9 6/ 9—7/ 7 Average Ration 28 days 28 days 56 days Lot 1, l2 Head: Sudan grazing. : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .43 .78 .605 Pulverized oyster shell, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .11 .14 .125 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 . 1 38. 6 121.7 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.97 1.38 2.18 Lot Z, lZ Head: Sudan grazing——alternating weekly on same Sudan pastures as Lot 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cottonseed cake (43% protein) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.16 1.86 1.51 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .35 .82 .58 Pulverized oyster shell, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .06 .03 .04 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 84.1 43.0 127 .1 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.0 1.54 2.25 The steers receiving cottonseed cake gained 127 pounds per head in 56 days; those with Sudan grazing alone 121.7 pounds. The cottonseed cake- fed steers received 85 pounds of cake per head and made only 6.4 pounds more gain per steer. There was no visible difference in finish. On basis of gain, it did not pay to feed such an amount of cottonseed cake during this short grazing period. In an ensuing 112-day drylot fattening period, both lots made the same approximate gain and yielded carcasses of prac- tically identical grade. This test was inconclusive as to the value of feeding cottonseed cake with Sudan grazing, but indicated in connection with the analyses of sam- 20 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION ples of Sudan grass collected during the grazing season that larger amounts of cottonseed cake would be required to effect any appreciable difference in gains. Second Trial In the second Sudan grazing trial cottonseed cake was nearly full-fed for a 108-day period, April 27 to August 13. During this period the Sudan grazing Was suflicient to produce gains without the supplement of cotton- seed cake. The cottonseed cake was fed in large amount because in the first grazing trial (1932) no advantage resulted from feeding 1.51 pounds of cottonseed cake per head daily during a 56-day period. Cattle.—Thirty-four good grade Hereford steer calves Were purchased in August 1932 in the vicinity of Beeville, Texas. These 416-pound calves were grazed on the Sudan fields from September 2 to November 28, 1932. Except for the first 28 days of this period, they were fed a small amount ‘ of supplementary feed. The calves were started on a fattening test but, following treatment for stomach Worm infestation, the test was abandoned February 3, 1933 and a maintenance ration was fed until the beginning of the Sudan grazing trial, April 27. During the 237 days, September 2 to April 27, the calves were fed an average of 1.6 pounds ground ear corn and ground hegari heads mixed, 1.4 pounds cottonseed meal, and 8.2 pounds roughage per head daily. They gained 236 pounds per head and entered the grazing test at an average weight of 652 pounds. FIGURE 11. Feeder steer calves, fall 1932. Average wt. 416 lbs., used in second Sudan grazing trial, April 27 to December 13, 1933. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 21 FIGURE 12. Calves heavily infested with stomach worms before treatment, February 1983. From group of calves shown in FIGURE 11. ‘ FIGURE 13. Feeders asshown in FIGURE 11, close of wintering period and after treatment for stomach worms, ready to start on Sudan grazing. Average wt. 652 lbs. Compare with FIGURE 12. 22 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Treatment Given for Internal Parasites.*—Scouring and losses in Weight were noted among a number of the calves soon after they were received. The trouble was not definitely recognized until in February when post- mortem examination of one calf revealed an infestation of stomach worms. The calves, then averaging 550 pounds, were given 300 cc per head of a solution containing 1.75% copper sulphate and 0.8% nicotine sulphate. This treatment was repeated 2 weeks later. During the period August 14 to September 7, as 800- to 850-pound yearlings, they were drenched three times at 10-day intervals with 500 cc per head of the same solution. The steers improved rapidly after the treatments in February. No stomach worms were found when the steers were slaughtered in December. Grazing Period (April 27 t0 August 13, 1933-408 days) The 34 steer yearlings, average weight 652 pounds, were divided into two equal groups and started on Sudan grazing April 27, 1933. Lot 2 steers were fed nearly as much 43% protein cottonseed cake as they would eat. Beginning with 2 pounds per head daily, gradual increases were made to 6 pounds daily, the average daily consumption being 4.64 pounds per head for the 108-day grazing period. Lot 1 received Sudan grazing only. Table 10 is a record of the feeding and gains during the period. Table l0. Sudan grazing period: Average daily rations and gains in pounds per head _ 4/27- 5/25- 6/22—~ 7/20- Av. for Ration 5/25 6/22 7/20 8/13 108 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 24 days Lot 1, 17 head; Sudan grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .27 42 .30 .34 .33 Pulverized oyster shell, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .034 .13 04 .03 06 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.3 61.2 32.4 39.9 147.7 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .51 2.18 1.16 1.66 1.37 Lot Z, 17 head: _ Sudan grazing—alternatmg weekly on same Sudan pastures as Lot 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cottonseed cakei‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.96 4.21 5.57 6.0 4.64 alt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 .43 .13 .21 .24 Pulverized oyster shell, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .014 .10 .03 .12 .06 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35.7 60.5 70.6 26.4 193 1 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.28 2.16 2.52 1.10 1.79 The granulated salt and pulverized oyster shell were supplied free choice in separate small troughs. The steers had little desire for the oyster shell at any time and consumed very little of it. The Sudan grazing became scant toward the close of the grazing period but was sufficient for the steers to obtain good fills. Weights, gains, and a financial statement based [on current feed prices and costs are presented in Table 11. *Under the direction of the Division of Veterinary Science, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station TConsumed. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 23 Table 11. Summary of Sudan grazing period, April 27 toYAug. 13, l933—-108 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i 1 _ 2 Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17 ‘~ 17 I w] ..._! Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . Sudan grazing Cottonseed cake only and Sudan grazing Averages in pounds per steer: niti weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 654 651 Final weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802 844 Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 193 Daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.37 1.79 Total feeds fed: Sudan grazing, acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.12 1.12 Cottonseed cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 500.7 Salt, granulated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.25 1.62 Pulverized oyster shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .41 .43 Cost per cwt. gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 3.47 $ 4.72 Financial Statement: Initial cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 28.07 S 27.91 Initial cost per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.29 4.29 Total feed cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5.12 9.12 Total cost close of grazing period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.19 37.03 Total cost close of grazing period, per cwt. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14 4.39 Feed prices per ton: Cottonseed cake, $16; salt, $17; pulverized oyster shell, $12.50; Sudan grazing per acre, $4.55 Two separate fenced areas were used and the two groups were alter- nated on these pastures at weekly intervals. The cost of $4.55 per acre for Sudan grazing includes land rent at $3.00 per acre and $1.55 per acre for labor and seed. Each steer had 1.12 acres of Sudan grazing which was sufiicient to produce gains throughout the 108- day grazing period. The gains made’ on the Sudan grazing charged at then current prices for stocker steers more than paid the grazing charge of $4.55 per acre. The steers that received cottonseed cake on Sudan grazing made 45.1 pounds more gain per head and showed more finish than the steers on Sudan alone. The cost of gain produced by Sudan grazing alone was $3.47 per cwt. as compared with $4.72 per cwt. for the gain produced by Sudan grazing with cottonseed cake. Both groups of steers could have been marketed as grass fat yearlings or as fleshy feeders but in order to realize some advantage from the finish already obtained and to further measure the effect of feeding cottonseed cake on Sudan grazing it was considered desirable to add finish by grain feeding in drylot. Finishing Period in Drylot (Aug. 14 to Dec. 13, 1933—122 days) The close of the Sudan grazing period was the beginning of the feedlot fattening period. The steers were fed in drylot to obtain marketable finish as grain-fed yearlings. During the preliminary feedlot period, August 14 to September 7 (Table 12), the steers were treated for stomach worm infestation manifested during the latter part of the grazing period which accounts for the low gains for this period. 24 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Table 12. Finishing period: Average daily rations* and gains in pounds per head 8/14- 9/7-— 10,/5- ll/2- 1l/21— Ration 9/7 10/5 11/2 11/21 12/13 Av. Av. 24 days 28 days 28 days 19 days 23 days 99 days 122 days Lot 1, Sudan only: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12.8 19 4 19.5 7.3 10.0 Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.5 16.8 10.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8.8 7.2 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.9 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.8 Chopped hegari stover . . . . . . . . . .. 9.7 10.6 2.2 9.3 5.7 7.8 7.5 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .8 .6 .58 .24 .2 . . . . . . .l. .5 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37.8 43.7 37.9 61.9 23.1 181.4 204.5 Average daily gain . . . . . . . .. 1.58 1.56 1.35 3.26 1.0 1.83 1 68 Lot 2, Cottonseed Cake and Sudan: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13.4 19.4 . . . . . . . .. 7.5 . . . . . . . .. Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.5 16.8 10.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8.8 . . . . . . . .. Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.3 3.0 3.0 3 0 . . . . . . . .. 2.8 . . . . . . . .. Chopped hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.4 10.8 2.7 9 1 . . . . . . . . . 7.8 . . . . . . . . . Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 .65 .53 10 . . . . . . . . . .53 . . . . . . . . . Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22.1 61.4 24.7 55.9 . . . . . . . .. 174.1 . . . . . . . .. Average daily gain . . . . . . . .. .92 2.19 1.24 2.94 . . . . . . . .. 1.76 . . . . . . . .. ‘Based on feeds consumed. . It will be noted from Table 12 that the steers on Sudan grazing only were fed in drylot 23 days longer than the steers which received cotton- seed cake with Sudan grazing. This was done in order to obtain approxi- mately the same amount of finish for both groups. A summary of the drylot fattening period is given in Table 13. Slaughter data were not obtained for Lot 1. The dressed yield of 58.7 per cent for Lot 2, on the basis of cold carcass and market Weights, indi- cates Medium grade slaughter steers. The feed cost and cost per cwt. of gain were less for Lot 2 because of the shorter drylot finishing period, 99 days as compared with 122 days, and because their grain feed consisted of a larger percentage of the lower costing hegari heads. The ground ear corn was fed in the latter part of the feeding period. With a slight advantage in total gain (Sudan grazing and drylot feeding periods combined), a shorter feeding period in drylot, lower feed cost, and a slightly higher selling price, the steers fed cottonseed cake with Sudan grazing returned $1.93 per head more than the steers which had Sudan only. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 25 FIGURE 14. Lot 1. Feeder yearlings at close of 108-day Sudan grazing period with no supplementary feed, going into drylot fattening period. Average wt. 802 lbs. (Shown as feeder calves in FIGURE 11.) FIGURE 15. The fattest steer in Lot 1 (FIGURE 14). A few steers had good finish. 26 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION FIGURE 16. The thinnest steer in Lot 1 (FIGURE 14). FIGURE 17. Lot 2. Feeder yearlings at close of 108-day Sudan grazing period with 4_.65- lbs. cottonseed cake per head daily as a supplement, going into drylot fattening period. average wt. 844 lbs. (Shown as feeder calves FIGURE 11.) This lot was uniform 1n finlsh. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS FIGURE 19. The thinnest steer in Lot 2 (FIGURE 17). 27 28 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION FIGURE 20. Lot 1 at close of 122-day drylot feeding period, ready for market. (Shown in FIGURE 11 as feeder calves, in FIGURE 13 as started on. Sudan grazing, in FIGURE 14 at close of Sudan grazing.) FIGURE 21. Head squeeze designed by Grover Impson, Beeville, Texas, used in measuring, drenching, or other handling of steers at Bee- ville Station. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS MAtQrIaJ Palece; '49 <9‘ 7 —- 1'S< (Ix 24' rag,» hem-t »->(lhakn’laic»h for ‘gade. , 2' 2"xf”x9" Na/ » ' QJ, ' I ~ ' Mm 2~2'Z<¢")(5 " ‘ - , _» 1—2’$< 2‘5< 4' v 2~/"x+"x‘/' " '1‘ * in»: Jtr¢ps Wk 6;’ [/-n>/e in sac/z emfl l" U Jfrapf/fiq/I’ CI/w/e: lnam/J" from oipel; 0nd, U 1'; Zkpllmk/e a2‘ r/oSed 8nd v 1 I l . ‘ 7—m,w,,e m1; i/aiu/A’ I , _, lf~ ll‘ " _ %§”X3"M V I ‘ ) ' ,. I h I I "z-r- "F7 %"x2” n co o r1 an. A §r11W\/_ a a 1.1‘ EQNT A //_. n 5,5943” ' m A ERIC-L) LTUQE V&~\;-_\QQM 7’E._J_/ONO,;Ml.C/7%l... ' A a M c oLLa-terz. QKEQQITEQJEEA$ ‘ .~=» /_ n H %"xy” I _ u. s» .h ogrvA RT M EINW‘ 1ON,D1R.ECTOR_\_,VC.9LL;EGE_ _s'r1;,rr;or~:i'i"s_~>g;_\$ 51,10 N 0 RQK. it], r, 5017/ 014g _ I . _ _ 9 . - f‘ _ v I _ v ‘, T f“ A I ramp ». i /" ffidI/l 9/00] _ I ' ‘J - ' ' i = " ~ g. A-L-- ‘g / -ro/ie 3/6139 Y”; ‘ 2~screwzsfrap lr/njes _ DRAWN raw m R BENTLEY =><-»\L_E, 1" — 1' ~ fTlACED PSY D.A.O JR. QNE. SHEET 1519 — 1 ’ ~ I §€ri¢t| No. FIGURE 21-A. Drawing and specifications of dehorning gate. 30 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Table 13. Summary of finishing period in drylot, Aug. 19 to Dec. 13, 1933—122 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17 17 Previous treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sudan grazing Cottonseed cake only and Sudan grazing Number of days fed in drylot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 122 99 Averages in pounds per steer: Initial weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 802 844 Final weight at feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1006 1018 Market weight at San Antonio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 966 971 Gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 174 Gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 127 Daily gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.68 1.76 Daily gain, basis market weights. . . 1.29 Shrinkage enroute market, lbs. . . . . 46.7 Shrinkage enroute market, per cent.. . . . . 4.59 Carcass weight, cold* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570 Dressed yield, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.7 Total feeds consumed: i Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87} ' [3 Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1219 7 44 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 281 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 917 3 Salt, granulated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 .3 3.3 Rejected feed (hegari stover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 86 60 Feeds required per cwt. gain, feedlot weights: Ground hegari heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 427 501 Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 596 . 427 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 161 Ground hegari stover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 448 444 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 10.43 8 9.39 Cost of feed per cwt. gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .02 12.83 Financial Statement: Cost into feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 33.19 S 37.03 Feed cost, including rejected feed 21.35 16.36 Marketing cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.50 2.50 Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 57.04 55.89 Selling price per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.30 5.35 Amount received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.19 51.96 Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.85 3 .93 ssFeedl pr£0Z 3 mN $04 £03.80 0000380 03in? m? >3 >>~ oNfi N? >mv m3 #2 3N3 m? . . 0x0: 3N m0 03:54 . - ~ - . . . - . - - . . . . . . . . - . - - ¢ ' . . . . . . . - . - - - . . - - . - - - ~ - . . ma. m3 S; m3 ¢>¢ mNe m3 N3 m: 2% . . . 0wm$>< mfi. m2 N3 m3 mom . . . . . . . . .3 w? m3 o: mm m3. . . . . . . Nm >¢m NoN m3 3N M03. . . . . . . . . mm m>m o3 N3 Nw Nom . . . . . . . mN 3v m3 m3 No N? . . . . . . . . mm 3% Q3 3i 2; 3m . . . mN Nmm e3 >3 Nm m3 . . . . . . . . .3 m? m3 03 m3 Nom . . . . 4N 3% m2 m3 o3 NNw . . . . . . . .3 >3“ 0N3 N3 m3 m? . . . . . . .mN mmm N3 ow N3 N? . . . . . . .> N3» 33 >3 m: 03 .. . 1N3 m8. o3 N: N: $0 . . .. 1m 3% S3 m3 o3 mE .. . . . 3 EGO mfinahmv 555m .m 00A . . . . . . . . . . ' . . . - . - - . . . . - . . . - . - . . - . . . . v - - . - - ¢ . ¢ . N»? o3 >3N mfi 9x. N>w m3 m3 02 ma. . I0mm$>< 3m o3 3N m3 .5. . . . . . . . . Nv w? m3 m3 0.3 N? . . .>m w? 33 m3 mfi mow . . . . . . . . 3m N? m3 m: m3 mow . . . mm mNm 33 3N m3 mmfi ........ .om >>¢ N3 N3N m2 mmm .. .>N m? m3 >3 m: m>m ........NN 0...... m3 m3 m3 o? . . 1.3 m3 >3 mmN m> N3 ...... I3N 03. m3 m3 >3 0mm ...... .3 0%. 02 3N m3 mam m . . . . . . . .3 3m m3 >NN wfi Nmv . . . . . . . .m 3m m3 NmN >3 m? . . . . . . :0. >3. m5 oNN N3 m3 . . . . . . .N 0x00 wcomsofifiv E5 w-SNMEU 506mm .N 00A u - - . . - - . . - . - - . . . - . - . . ¢ ' - . . . . . . - . - - . ¢ . . . . . - . . . - . . . . $0. m3 N: m3 m? m? m3 33 >3 xx. . . 0932/4 0:. N: >3N >w >3. . . . . . . Q mNm >>~ m3 m3 Nwv . . . . . . . .30 mNw >3 N3 mm Nmw . . . . . 6N 3N3“ 33 2: om Nmv . . . mm o? m3 o: Nw 0% . . . . . . .oN wom m3 m3 >3. mmm . . . . ém >3m w? m: m3 m? . . . . . . . .3 03. N3 m3 m3 N2. . . 1mm N? m3 m2 NNH o>¢ . I113 3m 02 m3 N3 >mm . . . . . . ..mN 02. w: S; o3 Nmm ... . 1.1m mam N33 N: m: 03. .. . . . . >3 mom m3 >3 N3 Nfim . . . . 21w 0S. 33 w? >3 N8. .. . . . . . .0 0:030:05 cosiomzam 0:0 .330 uoomcoficU éfisatb 5.35m A 00a 1.30.: @250 @230 02.5% 139?. 05:00 02.8% 0.00.50 025G mENwEU 000.5,? 3E0?» .0 Z 330G wEumbU 000033 Qswmok/ .0 Z 10335 003m GEE 003m 0.089 wEnU .8052.» msisfi 00050355 EmBEU oz m! 00A .6053 mcisfl 00052095 E3300 .4 00A 40 BULLETIN N0. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION g a The silage fed up to February 2 was mixed corn, grain sorghum, andv broom corn stalks from the 1933 crop, while that fed for the remainder of the period consisted of better quality 1934 crop broom corn stalks and hegari stover. The hegari stover fed had 5% heads and was of good qualityj Table 21 is a record of the feeding and gains during the winter feeding period. ' Table 21. Winter feeding period: Average daily rations and gains in pounds per head Prelim. Average Ration period 1/10-2/7 2 / 7-3 / 7 3 / 7-4 / 1 1 or 12/8-1/10 28 days 28 days 35 days 125 days Lot A. Pulverized Limestone: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 12 2.81 1.00 . . . . . . . . .. 1.16 _C0ttonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.09 1.89 2. 28 3 .00 2.07 Ground hegari fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.99 3.37 2.50 3 . l0 4.08 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15.92 19.50 17.40 25.00 19.60 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .07 .06 .16 V .16 .11 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 .10 .10 .10 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45.70 41.00 10.20 45.30 142.20 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.34 1.46 0.36 1.29 1.14 Lot B. No Pulverized Limestone: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 12 2 81 1.00 . . . . . . . . .. 1.16 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.09 1.89 2.28 3.00 2.07 Ground hegari fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.99 3.37 2.50 3.10 4.08 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .92 19.50 17.40 25.00 19.60 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 07 10 0 13 .32 .16 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 44.10 37.80 13.10 48.90 143.90 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.30 1.35 0.47 1.40 1.15 The preliminary feeding period is included in the averages, except for limestone flour which was not fed to Lot A until January 10. Treatment Given for Internal Parasites.——The calves were drenched twice for stomach and tapeworm infestation after they had been fed long enough to gain some strength. On February 18 they were given 1 cc per pound liveweight of a solution containing 1.75% copper sulphate and 0.8% nicotine sulphate. One-fourth cc Was given in addition for each pound weight above 500 pounds. The same dosage was given on March 1. The calves were kept off feed and water for 24 hours before and 5 hours after each drenching. Three calves died as a direct or indirect result of the treatments. The average gains made during the wintering period were small con- sidering the amount of concentrates fed. Dehorning, an infestation of internal parasites, and subsequent treatments all served to limit gains; however the calves put on some flesh and were strong at the close of the period. Table 22 is a summary of gains and costs for the Winter feeding period. Lot A, which received 0.10 pound pulverized limestone per head daily for 91 days beginning January 10, had no advantage in gain over Lot B, which did not receive the calcium supplement. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 41 Table 22. Summary winter feeding period. Dec. 8, 1934 to April 11, l935—125 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A B Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21 21 I Wintering ration Wintering ration Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and pulverized L limestone Averages in pounds per steer: Initial weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396 395 Final weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536 538 Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 143 Daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.12 1.14 Total feeds fed: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 147.5 147.5 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 261 Ground hegari fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 528.5 528.5 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2487 2487 Sal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 1 .25 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rejected feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.1 50.3 Cost of feed per cwt. gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. S 9.77 $ 9.59 Financial Statement: Initial cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 20 15 3 20.11 Initial cost per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.09 5.09 Feed cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.71 13.71 Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.86 33 .82 Total cost per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.31 6.29 Feed prices per ton: Ground ear corn, $25; cottonseed meal, 341; ground hegari fodder, $8; silage, $3.50; salt, $17; pulverized limestone, $10. Grazing Period (April 11 to October 3) Lots A and B, 21 steers each, as fed during the wintering period, were divided into three lots of 14 head each, so that in each of the three lots there were 7 steers which had received pulverized limestone during the wintering period. Three separate Sudan fields were grazed and the three lots of steers were rotated on the different fields each week. Water, salt, and shade were accessible in each field. In addition to Sudan grazing, Lot 1 was fed cottonseed cake and pulverized limestone, and Lot 2 was fed cottonseed cake. The cottonseed cake was fed in troughs in late afternoon and the pulverized limestone was sprinkled over the cottonseed cake. Beginning at 1.5 pounds per head daily, the cottonseed cake was increased to 2.5 i pounds daily in ten days and was fed at that rate for the first 84 days of the grazing period. Afterward the allowance was increased to a max- imum of 4.5 pounds per head daily. Table 23 is a record of the gains and feeding for the Sudan grazing period. The steers had little appetite for cottonseed cake from April to July, or during the period of abundant lush growth of Sudan grass. As may be noted in Table 23, 2.31 pounds of cottonseed cake was fed per head daily in April, 2.5 pounds in May and June, 3.12 pounds in July, 4 pounds in August, and 4.5 pounds in September. Each steer had 1.43 acres of Sudan grass which furnished grazing for 175 days. Grazing was abundant and analyses showed no decline in 42 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Table 23. Sudan grazing period: Average daily rations and gains in pounds per head 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Average Ration 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 35 days fog 175 " ays Lot 1: Cottonseed cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.31 2.51 2.50 3.12 4.00 4.49 3.21 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 .136 .136 .078 .12 .12 .12 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .74 .82 .61 .61 .42 .43 .59 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.20 73 .50 44.40 45.80 44.60 10.80 274.30 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . 1.97 2.63 1.59 1.64 1.59 .31 1 57 Lot Z: Cottonseed cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.31 2.50 2.50 3.12 4.00 4.49 3.21 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .74 .82 .61 .61 .42 .66 .64 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.40 55.10 62.40 39.90 31.90 24.60 268.30 Average daily gain . . . . . . . .. 1.94 1.97 2.23 1.42 1.14 .70 1.53 Lot 3: Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94 1.02 .61 .82 .42 .59 .72 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46.70 71.60 54.50 22.40 48.30 -—12.70 230.80 Average daily gain . . . . . . . .. 1.6? 2.56 1.95 .80 1.72 ——.36 1.32 nutrients even during the last 35-day grazing period when both Lots 1 and 2 "it made small gains and Lot 3 lost Weight. The steers evidently reached their limit of eflicient gains from Sudan grazing about September 1, but just Why is not known although it is a common observation that cattle make small gains from fall grazing. Table 24 is a summary of the Sudan grazing period. Table 24. Summary Sudan grazing period, April 11 to Oct. 3, 1935—l75 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 2 3 Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14 14 14 L. Li» - ' I Cottonseed cake - _ Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i and pulverized Cottonseed cake Sudan grazing limestone only Averages in pounds per head: _ Initial weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538 537 538 Final weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 812 805 768 Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 268 230 Daily gain . . . . . . . .9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.57 1.53 1.32 Average daily ration: Cottonseed cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.21 3.21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Total feeds fed: Cottonseed cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 561 561 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Salt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 7.0 7.9 Sudan grazing, acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.43 1.43 1.43 Cost of feed per cwt. gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S 5.81 8 5.99 S 2.85 Financial Statement: ,_.__ Cost onto Sudan grazing at $6.29 per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 33.87 5 33.81 S 33 .87 Cost of cottonseed cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.26 9.26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cost of pulverized limestone and salt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 .06 .07 Cost of Sudan grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.51 6.51 6.51 Total feed cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.93 15.83 6.58 Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.80 49.64 40.05 Total cost per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.13 6.17 5 .26 Feed prices per ton: Cottonseed cake, $30; salt, $17; pulverized limestone, $10; Sudan grazing per acre, $4.55. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS ~13 FIGURE 22. Lot 1 at close of drylot finishing period, 1935-36 test. Average wt. 1075 lbs. FIGURE 23. Lot 2 at close of drylot finishing peri_od, 1935-36 test. Average wt. 1042 lbs. 44 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRlCUlLFlJRAL EXPERIMENT STATION Lots 2 and 3 are compared with reference to the use of Sudan grazing‘ with and without cottonseed cake. Lot 2, fed cottonseed cake, made 38% pounds more gain and had more finish than Lot 3 on Sudan grazing only,‘ but at the end of the first 140 days of grazing, the gains were exactlyl equal, 243 pounds per head, for the two lots. Lot v2 was fed 561 poundsf, of cottonseed cake per head which cost, with cottonseed cake at $30.00 per ton, $8.42 per head. This expense for cottonseed cake resulted in Lot 2 i steers’ costing $0.79 per cwt. more than the Lot 3 steers at the close of 1 the grazing period. Lot 1 made an average of 6 pounds more gain per head than Lot 2,.’ which was similarly handled but did not receive pulverized limestone- Although there Was no visible difference in finish, Lot 2 had more attrac- f tive appearance because of uniformity. FIGURE 24. Lot 3 at close of drylot finishing period, 1935-36 test. Average wt. 1058 lbs. Most of the steers in Lots 1 and 2 and a few in Lot 3 were grass fat at the close of the Sudan grazing period, but all of them needed consid- erable feed for finish despite the long period, 175 days, of grazing and supplementary feeding with cottonseed cake. There was less response for feeding cottonseed cake on Sudan grass in this trial than in any previous trial except for the 56-day grazing period in 1932. This was partially ascribed to the smaller average allowance of cottonseed cake, 3.21 pounds, and maximum of 4.5 pounds fed per head daily. It is rather clearly indicated that relatively large amounts of cottonseed cake are required to produce appreciable increase in gain and finish over that produced by Sudan grazing alone. \ STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 45 Finishing Period in Drylot (Oct. 3, 1935 t0 Feb. 7, 1936—127 days) The close of the Sudan grazing period was the beginning of the drylot fattening period. The three lots were kept intact and were fed alike except that Lot 1 only received pulverized limestone in the fattening ration. Unlike the two previous trials, all lots were fed the same number of days, the number of days, 127, being approximately the same as required in previous trials for finishing the steers which had not been fed cotton- seed cake on Sudan grazing. Table 25 is a record of the average daily rations and gains for the fattening period. The feeds were of higher quality than those fed in the two previous feeding trials. The ear corn was mostly good heavy yellow corn. The silage—mixed broom corn, hegari, and Sumac—was of good quality. The gains were somewhat higher and more uniform than were obtained in the fattening periods of previous tests. Table 26 is a summary of the fattening period in drylot. iThe average daily gain for all steers from feeder calves to fattened yearlings during the 427 days they were kept at the Station Was.1.55 pounds, or 662 pounds, per head. On the basis of final feedlot Weights the Sudan steers, Lot 3, gained the same amount as the average of the two groups which were fed 561 pounds of cottonseed cake per head during the Sudan grazing period. The total concentrate feeds required per hundred- Table 25. Average daily rations and gains in pounds per head, Oct. 3, 1935 to Feb. 7, 1936 —127 days _ 10/3- 10/31- 11/28- 12/26- 1/23- Average Ration 10/31 11/28 12/26 1/23 2/7 for 28 days 28 days 28 days 28 days 15 days 127 days Lot 1: A Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.04 11.62 14.80 17.30 19.60 13.94 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.83 3.00 3.00 3.40 3.50 3.10 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22.04 15.84 14.20 12.30 9.80 15 .34 Ground kafir fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.34 4.64 2.30 1.00 . . . . . . . . . . 2.06 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 .13 .13 .13 .11 .12 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .16 .16 .16 .08 .30 .16 Total gain._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 63.10 80.70 26.80 57 50 35.20 263.30 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.25 2.88 0.96 2 05 2.35 2.07 Lot Z: Ground ear Porn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.04 11.62 14.80 17.30 19.60 13.94 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.83 3.00 3.0 3.40 3.50 3 10 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22.04 15.84 14.20 12.30 9.80 15.34 Ground kafir fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.34 4.64 2.30 1.00 . . . . . . . . .. 2.06 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 .16 .08 .08 .16 .14 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 63 90 60 00 46 80 44 30 21 80 236.80 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.28 14 1 67 1.58 1 45 .86 L01 3: ' Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.04 11.62 14.80 17.30 19.60 13.94 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.83 3.00 3.00 3.40 3.50 3.10 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.04 15.84 14.20 12.30 9 .80 15 .34 Ground kafir fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.34 4.64 2.30 1.00 . . . . . . . . .. 2.06 Salt, oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... .29 .24 .16 .08 .16 .19 Total gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 74.20 62.50 55 40 56.80 40.60 289 50 Average daily gain . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.65 2.23 1.98 2.03 2.71 2.28 46 ‘BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Table 26. Summary of finishing period in drylot, Oct. 3, 1935 to Feb. 7, 1936—-—l27 days Lot number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 2 3 Number of steers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14 14 14 l Cottonseed cake Previous treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. l and pulverized Cottonseed cake Sudan grazing l limestone o y Averages in pounds per steer: ' ' weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 812 805 768 Final weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1075 1042 1058 Final weight at market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1015 990 988 Gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 237 290 Gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 185 220 Daily gain, basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.07 1.86 2.28 Daily gain, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.60 1.45 1.73 Shrinkage enroute market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60. 2 52.2 69.5 Shrinkage enroute market, per cent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.60 5.01 6.57 Carcass weight, cold* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622 607 592 Dressed yield, basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61.3 61.3 59.9 Carcass grades: Strickly good to choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 2 Top medium to good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 l0 7 Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 3 Low medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total feeds fed: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1770 1770 1770 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 394 394 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1948 1948 1948 Fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 261 261 Pulverized limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Salt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.32 1.14 1 15 Feeds fed per cwt. gain, feedlot weights: Ground ear corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 673 747 610 Cottonseed meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 150 166 136 Silage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741 822 672 Fodder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 110 90 Cost of feed per cwt. of gain: Basis feedlot weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S 7.10 $ 7.84 S 6.41 Basis market weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.19 10.06 8.44 Financial Statement: Initial cost into feedlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S 49.80 S 49.64 S 40.45 Cost of feeds. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18.70 18.57 18.57 Marketing cost at $0.47 per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. 77 4 . 65 4.65 Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 .27 72.86 63 .67 Price received per cwt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8.45 8.50 7.85 Amount received per steer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85.77 84. l2 77.57 Profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.50 11.26 13.90 Feed prices per ton: Ground ear corn. S12; cottonseed meal, S24; ground hegari fodder, S6; silage, $2.50; pulverized limestone, S17; salt, S16. ‘Hot weight less 2% shrinkage. weight of gain was 389 pounds for Lot 3, not fed cottonseed cake during grazing, while the average for Lots 1 and 2 was.473 pounds. Lot 2, fed cottonseed cake with Sudan grazing, and Lot 3, Sudan grazing only, neither lot being fed the calcium supplement, are compared in regard to the feeding of cottonseed cake with Sudan grazing. At the outset of the fattening period, Lot 2 was in higher condition and averaged 37 pounds per head heavier than Lot 3. During the fattening period Lot 3 made 53 pounds and 35 pounds more gain per head on the basis of feedlot and market weights respectively. The total gains made during the Sudan grazing and fattening periods were practically equal on basis of market weights, but Lot 2 carcasses were an average of 16 pounds heavier. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 47 Financial return favored Lot 3 by $2.64 per head although they sold for 7.65 per cent less than Lot 2. The slight advantages for Lot 2 in finish, and selling price, were not sufiicient to offset the cost of the cottonseed cake fed during the Sudan grazing period. However, cottonseed cake fed during the grazing period could have cost $20.57 per ton for returns to have been equal between the two lots, other feed prices remaining as charged. Lots 1 and 2 were fed alike except that Lot 1 received 0.124 pound pul- verized limestone per head daily. Lot 1 steers made greater gain than Lot 2 and were more desirable in carcass grade except for three inferior steers. Despite the three inferior steers and one steer which had received an injury and had made a low gain, Lot 1 made $1.24 per head greater return than Lot 2. I ‘ The results in this trial are in agreement with previous trials: Cotton- seed cake fed with Sudan grazing produced only a small increase in gain but added considerable finish so that the advisability of feeding cotton- seed cake on Sudan grazing can be determined by relative costs of feeds. A calcium supplement was apparently not needed in wintering rations or during the Sudan grazing period, but was fed to advantage during the drylot fattening period in this trial. Individual Weights and Gains of Steers by Groups.——Table 27 is a record of individual gains of the steers by groups. The division of steers into the lots as shown was made at the beginning of the Sudan grazing period April 11, 1935. Weight, individuality, and gains made during the winter were considered in order to divide the steers into equal groups. Lots A and B are exactly comparable only for the wintering period. The three main groups—Lots 1, 2, and 3—are comparable with respect to their different treatments, beginning with the Sudan grazing period. Therewere certain wide variations in gain both above and below the averages, but the data for all steers were used since the general trend of results would not have been changed had certain low gaining steers been removed from the test. High gains made during a single period of feeding are often compensated by low gains in the succeeding period. As in the previous trial the steers comprising Lot 2 were very uniform but this uniformity is ascribed to chance and not to differences in treatment. Body Measurements 0f Steers.—The steers were measured as calves, January 8, 1935, and as fattened yearlings, February 6, 1936. Thirteen measurements in centimeters were taken for each steer. The average initial and final weights and the average of initial and final measurements are shown for each of Lots 1, 2, and 3, as well as for Lots A and B. As previously shown, only Lot A received pulverized limestone in their win- tering ration. Lot 1 had pulverized limestone during the Sudan grazing and drylot fattening periods; Lot 2 did not; and Lot 3 did not receive cottonseed cake with Sudan grazing. a..1n..i1wl;fi .. . . _. ._ ,. . . . .3 ....uwws~m MNQ NQN mum 8w w»? 3w 5m 0mm . 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Nwm Nmfi omw . . . . . . . ..m ooh mmm New hmfi ham . . . . . . ..mm Nmc mmfl owm w¢_ mwm . . . . . . . ..> Nah Nwm N>~ xhfi won . . . . . . ..@~ QGOaWQEmQ UONmu®>~5m WE“ “QMNU UQQmECQwOQ -Mi@NN.-w all-m .w JOQ BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 13cm. v25 EEK wean REP wezm “scum Econ 373D mcfimib .53“? Z903 .oZ QEEQ winmib hint’? Qammv? dZ H51: Swim 122i 53w wcwmmv wcmmmv 0 ~35?» mcisfi Hcufifinnsm EEQRU oZ .m_ QOJ gown“? wsisfi Eofifiansw EEBwU .4 QOJ 48 inn-Zn .3 303m u: mfiau wan 3:303 122E 1§E>=E~ §~. 05am. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 49 Lot 1 (Table 28) made slightly greater increase than Lot 2 in height at Withers, depth of body, length of body, Width at crops, circumference of chest, length of head, width of muzzle, and circumference of cannon. The measurements indicate Lot 1 to be of larger size and with slightly more finish than Lot 2, which was shown by record of gains and slaughter data. Similarly, in comparing Lots 2 and 3, We note that the measurements show Lot 3 as a taller group of steers with more length of body but lacking the finish of Lot 2. This is also in agreement with slaughter data. It may be assumed that Lot 3, not fed cottonseed cake on Sudan grazing, con- sumed more Sudan grass than Lot 2 and consequently received slightly more lime in their ration. Both comparisons offer evidence that additional calcium increases bone growth or general size but does not necessarily add to the amount of finish. The feeding of the calcium supplement during the winter was without effect. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors make grateful acknowledgment to Ellis Brittain, Cattle Feeder, Substation No. 1, Beeville; to Dr. G. S. Fraps, Chief, Division of Chemistry, for analyses of feed samples; and to G. W. Barnes, Beef Cattle Specialist, Texas Extension Service, for assistance in grading the cattle. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS There were four trials—1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935—on grazing Sudan grass with and without a supplement of cottonseed cake. Except in the first test, which is not considered in analysis of results, steer calves which had been purchased in the fall and wintered on roughages and cot- tonseed meal were used, having been started on Sudan grazing in April. The Hereford feeder steers used were of good quality and were comparable in weight each year. They were fed to approximately good grade slaughter steers in 1933 and 1934 but were more highly finished in 1935. There were two phases of study in each of the four trials on grazing Sudan grass: first, the grazing period and second, a finishing period in drylot. The grazing periods were for 56, 108, 121, and 175 days in order of the respective years. The fattening periods in drylot ranged from 88 to 127 days, an average of 123 days being required for fattening the steers not fed cottonseed cake on grazing and 93 days for the steers which had received the cottonseed cake supplement. The average daily allowance of cottonseed cake fed in the first trial of 56 days was 1.51 pounds per head; in the second of 108 days, 4.64 pounds; in the third of 121 days, 4.47 pounds; and in the fourth of 175 days, 3.21 pounds. There was no response from feeding cottonseed cake in the first trial, but supplementing the Sudan grazing with more liberal amounts of cake, as in the second, third, and fourth trials, increased gain 0.36 pound per head daily and added sufficient finish to reduce the time required for fattening in drylot about 30 days. The average daily gain from Sudan grazing only was 1.37 pounds in 50 BULLETIN NO. 564, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION .»¢. .. .< . 1w E . .. , .. .;;N..n~ 4. 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N2: fimm 9S waNfi $2 ......._NEh .5255 uuisfiécoiv-aanm EEBNO oZ Am 55.1.0 Ne ea fiN mNm efi Q2 HNN 9N f: :2 m5 .....@22s£ NE Q2 Ni 9N2 wNN. wNN eN: mam. :5 N42 fie . . . . . $225 Q2 NNN Nae Nefi N2. wee m5»; 9Q... 95 Q52 NQ: . . . . . . .._~5m 52:3 wGTQAH unwioiaam 552:0 .< .530 c0550 mwzm vNoE umvflU NEE mQowU 35m wcnobw awofl .3231’? “o HN mo Mo Na em mo o» mo as gamma? 88:0 52>? 5 =5 55am £33 £33 i E5 :26 =35 Ewsm £2 K 50h 3 was 6 60D 695.5 .5 2:22» us: ‘flfiioiwhumaoi 15c was FEE ona~o>< JN 011i. STEER FATTENING INVESTIGATIONS 51 1933, 1.21 in 1934, and 1.32 in 1935, making an average gain of 1.29 pounds daily for the (15,104 days of steer grazing involved in the three seasons of grazing. The gains produced from Sudan grazing credited at current prices for stocker steers were more than sufficient to pay the costs, rent and labor charged for the Sudan pasturage. A noteworthy feature in the use of Sudan grazing in fattening yearling steers is the saving in concentrate feeds required per cwt. of gain. It ' required an average of only 418 pounds of concentrate feeds to produce 100 pounds of gain (finished beef) for the steers which did not receive cottonseed cake with Sudan grazing for 1934 and 1935 trials. It required an average of 478 pounds of concentrate feeds for 100 pounds of gain for the steers which were fed cottonseed cake while on Sudan grazing for the same years. This is approximately 50% less concentrates per cwt. of finished beef than is required in finishing feeder calves into fattened yearlings by ordinary drylot methods of grain feeding for fattening. Thirteen per cent less concentrates were required per cwt. of gain when cottonseed cake was not fed on Sudan grazing; however, the gain pro- duced without cottonseed cake on Sudan grazing did not result in as highly finished beef as when cake was fed. The study of a calcium supplement in rations of feeder calves developed into fattened steer yearlings included (1) a winter feeding period, (2) a Sudan grazing period, and (3) a fattening period in the drylot. The calcium supplement did not increase gain or finish during the wintering and Sudan grazing periods, but made slight increase in gain during the drylot fat- tening period. Body measurements taken of the steers as calves and as finished yearlings one year later show increased bone growth for the steers which received the calcium supplement in their rations. Analyses of Sudan grass samples collected at intervals during each grazing season show high values for protein and minerals, sufficiently high in protein to indicate that a grain feed would be advantageous as a supplement and sufficiently high in calcium to indicate that there is little need for calcium supplements with Sudan grazing. CONCLUSION Sudan grazing permits the production of highly finished beef on farms in the Beeville area with a minimum usage of concentrate feeds. Ground hegari heads were of approximately 33 per cent less value than ground ear corn in finishing beef steers. Ground hegari stover (heads removed) and ground Sumac fodder (heads on) were practically equal in feeding value in fattening rations. Liberal amounts of 43% protein cottonseed cake will increase gain on Sudan grazing approximately one-third pound per head daily and will add suflicient finish, if fed for 100 days or longer, to lessen the time re- quired for finishing in drylot about 3O days. Current feed prices determine whether the practice is advisable. Calcium supplements fed in wintering rations and during periods of Sudan grazing were without value but increased gain when fed in fat- tening rations in drylot with the sorghum forages as roughages.