6 Conservative *
WHEAT AS A FOOD FOR GROWING
AND FATTENING ANIMALS.
Dnriug the post year there hnve been
numerous inquiries in regard to the
chemical composition of wheat as com
pared with corn and oats , its relative
value as a food for growing and fatten
ing animals , and the method of feeding
which would produce the best results.
These inquiries have , doubtless , been
suggested by the great change in the
comparative prices of the grains just
practical results of feeding. Wo should
not card to assert , for instance , that
wheat screenings are in general more
valuable as a food for animals than the
plump , sound wheat , although the
table would indicate this to be the case.
We may , however , safely conclude that
the screenings and imperfect wheat
should be fed and only the best wheat
put upon the market.
It is seen that wheat contains practi
cally the same amount of protein per 100
Table showing digestible components in 100 pounds of feeding stuff and the nutritive
ratio ; also feeding standards. *
ifti
mentioned. In the past we have been
accustomed to see a bushel of wheat sell
for two or three times as much as a
bushel of corn. Recently we have seen
CO pounds of corn sell for more than
could be obtained for 60 pounds of
wheat. This readjustment of the prices
of grain evidently calls for a reconsider
ation of the methods for disposing of
the cereal crops in order to determine
which is most profitable under present
conditions.
The purpose of this circular is to give
a direct and definite answer to the ques
tions which have been most frequently
asked concerning the use of wheat as a
food for stock.
Comparative Digestible Values.
The quantity and proportion of the
different proximate constituents which
are present in a digestible form in 100
pounds of some of the common feeding
stuffs is compared in the following table
with the German feeding standards.
This table presents the chemical as
pect of the subject , and is valuable in
the indications' and suggestions which
may be obtained from it. The informa
tion which it contains should , however ,
be used in connection with our knowl
edge of the habits of animals and the
pounds as oats , and that both wheat
and oats contain about 80 per cent , more
protein than corn. On the other hand ,
wheat only has about one-half as much
fatty matter as corn and oats. In car
bohydrates the position of wheat is
about halfway between that of corn and
oats.
Protein , that is the albuminoid con
stituents of grain , goes to build up the
albuminoid tissues of the animal body
similated will bo used for this purpose.
Young growing animals require more
protein than older ones , and also more
than fattening animals , in order to
supply material for building up the
muscles , tendons , and other albuminoid
structures.
Fattening Quality of Wheat.
We must not conclude from these
facts , as some have , that because wheat
is particularly indicated for young
growing animals it is not adapted for
those which are fattening. The fallacy
of such a conclusion is shown by the
following comparisons.
This table brings out in the clearest
possible manner , fir at , the near approach
chemically of 26.6 pounds of wheat to
the German standard ration for grow
ing cattle from 6 to 12 mouths of age ,
and , secondly , the fact that 88 } pounds
of wheat comes much nearer the feed
ing standard for fattening cattle than
does the same quantity of com. The
proportion of the protein to carbohy
drates and to fat is very much nearer
the standard in wheat than in corn.
Tried by these standards wheat is better
both for growing and fattening animals
than is corn.
These standards , however , are not to
be considered as perfect. Corn comes
nearer being an ideal grain for fattening
animals in this country than is indicat
ed by the tables. Such animals appar
ently do not need as much protein as is
contained in the standard , and may
take with advantage more carbohy
drates and fat. Equal parts of wheat
and corn should , therefore , prove better
for fattening animals than either of
these grains alone. For growing ani
mals corn is plainly not so suitable as is
wheat or oats.
Equal Conditions Favor Wheat Feed.
When wheat and corn are the same
price per bushel , it is preferable to feed
wheat and sell corn : First , because
wheat weighs 7 per cent , heavier per
bushel than corn ; secondly , because
wheat is weight for weight an equally
of Jwhioh the muscles are the most
prominent part , but it may also be
changed into fat. The fat in the ani
mal body comes , therefore , both from
the fat and the protein in the food which
is eaten. The carbohydrates sustain
the heat of the body and must be pres
ent in sufficient quantity or the more
valuable fat which has already been as-
good grain for fattening animals , and
better for growing animals ; and thirdly ,
because there is much less value in fer
tilizing elements removed from the
farm in corn than in wheat.
There are certain points to be borne
in mind when one is commencing to
feed wheat. Our domesticated animals
are all very fond of it , but are not ac-