Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 270, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1911 — Feeding Corn Silage to Fattening Lambs [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Feeding Corn Silage to Fattening Lambs

By F. G. KING,

Asfanl Hukaadry Departaeat, Psifsi Experiment Statkai

Purdue University Agricaltaral Exteama

The remarkable efficiency of the silo for increasing the feeding value of the corn plant haa been clearly demonstrated with cattle, but has often been looked upon by sheepmen with suspicion. That such suspicions are not well founded is shown by the following trial conducted at this station In 1910-11. By the addition of corn silage to a ration of shelled corn and clover hay fed to western lambs, the rate of gain was Increased five per cent, and the cost of gain decressed ten per cent. Moreover, the selling value of the lambs was increased ten cents per 100 pounds by -the addition of the silage to the ration. As a result of these advantages gained by feeding silage there was a difference of T 4 5 cents per lamb in favor of using corn silage as a part of the ration. The value of corn silage is further emphasised by another trial made where corn, cottonseed meal and clover hay was the basal ration. In this case, there was a saving in cost of gain of <0 cents per 100 pounds and an additional selling price of 15 cents per 100 In feeding corn silage to lambs, several facts must be borne in mind. Principally among these, It should be remembered that moldy silage 4s practically always fatal to sheep. A largo per cent, of the fatalities among sheep receiving silage occur in the spring when the weather la getting warm and the tendency for silage io mold la great Also there la sometimes toss

from sheep eating from a pile of discarded silage containing moldy material. The Injurious effect of moldy silage Is so clearly proven that great care must be taken that all parts are free from mold. Another great cause of Injury to lambs from silage is extreme acidity of the silage. When the corn is put into the silo before it has become fairly well matured, undue quantities of acid are formed. Silage containing these large amounts of acid causa derangement of the digestive tracts of the lambs with the final result of a■’ loss of some animals. The corn when put into the silo should have the grains dented one-third and one-half tha blades brown. In fact, the corn should be almost ready to put into the shock before it Is ripe enough for goqfi silage for fattening animals. With these precautions, silage is a very safe feed for fattening lambs. One to two pounds of com silage in a ration containing clovet hay and corn stimulates the digestion and keeps the lambs in great vigor and robust health and finally returns a handsome profit over a similar flock mE receiving the silage. - . , .* The orchard should not be neglect ed during the winter. There «• many things that can be done in the off that will increase the returns ver* materially.

Silage Fed Lambs. Purdue Experiment Station, 1910.