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Feed Utilization Tests with Cattle

University of California¹

Abstract

Feed utilization tests were conducted on four gets of sire each consisting of 10 head of steer calves. The test was conducted on the basis of controlling the caloric value of the ration and feeding according to appetite. For controlling the energy content of the gain an attempt was made to feed to an equal degree of fatness. Under these conditions two lots having the same rate of gain differed significantly in economy of gain. Two groups having the same efficiency of gain differed significantly in rate of gain. Thus absolute rate of gain was not a satisfactory index of economy of gain in groups differing in potential mature size and in earliness of maturity. The relative rate of gain and relative feed capacity (gain and feed capacity per unit of metabolic body size, weight^3/4) were correlated highly with efficiency of feed utilization and with each other.

Isolation of some of the problems involved in selection for size and type on the one hand and economy of feed utilization on the other are discussed and some of the difficulties of obtaining an accurate index of efficiency of individual animals are mentioned.

¹ Division of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Davis, California.