Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 221]

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213 steers of like quality and age, on grass alone, in same time, made average gain of 223 pounds. In 1886 three yearling steers on grass alone, made gains for the five months, from June 1, to November 1, of 240, 255 and 285 pounds; each, averaging 260 pounds each, or 52 pounds per month. Like comparisons can not so well be made as to two-year-old steers, as it is not our practice to keep these on grass alonethroughout the season. In 1881 seven two-year-old steers, full fed during six grazing: months, made average gain of 466 pounds, or 77 pounds per month* The greatest gain by one steer was 525 pounds; the least 41& pounds. In 1882 eight two-year-old steers, with full feeding, made average gain of 380 pounds, varying from 305 to 415 pounds. In 1883 four two-year-old steers, with like feeding, made average? gain of 406 pounds, varying from 375 to 460 pounds. In 1885, from April 25 to Sept. 1, a pair of full-fed steers, which had been selected as more than usually fine animals, and which had been full fed from Dec. 1 last, made gains of only 105 and\ 220 pounds each, while eleven steers of about same ages, two-yearolds, but of less desirable quality, made average gain of 293 pounds each, on grass alone, until August 20, when a small ration of green, corn, on the stalk, was given them. In 1886 six two-year-old steers of much more than average quality, on full feed for the seven months from April to November^ made average gain of 386f pounds; the variation in individuals being well shown, the extremes being 230 and 500 pounds. Five steers of about the same age and breeding, but of not quite equal, quality, on grass until August 15, after which they were fed corn,, in same seven months made average gain of 375 pounds, the extremes being 335 and 420 pounds. In this case the lot of six were in higher flesh at commencement of the season, four of them having been on full grain feed during the previous summer. The rather surprising comparative results in some of these easesare partially to be explained on other grounds, but may safely be cited as good illustrations of two difficulties in arriving at fullytrustworthy results from trials such as those referred to, unless they are made with large numbers of animals or often repeated. These* are individual peculiarities and variation in condition. There are striking characteristics dependent on race or breed, but frequently individuals of the same breed and reared under like conditions show equally striking variation. Aside from liability to sickness or accident which may destroy the value of test, one or more animals of a small number may prove to possess unusually good or poor digestive and assimilative power; be noticeably "hearty" or "dainty"* eaters.

WINTER VERSUS SUMMER FEEDING.

It has seemed to us so certainly true that little or no profit cans now be expected from full feeding cattle in winter, when they are not provided shelter, that we have not tried this plan. We have