There seems to be, however, much difference in the dry fodders from different varieties of sorghum.  One grower writes:  “Kaffir corn is the only variety within our knowledge of which the fodder is of much value.  We consider the fodder much more preferable than that of the ordinary Indian corn, and our stock eat it much more readily than the sweet sorghum.  However, it requires a much longer season in which to ripen than does any of the other varieties, for which reason it is less desirable to plant in midsummer.”

Steers on Alfalfa.

How much alfalfa hay will a two or three-year-old steer eat per day, and about what is the gain in weight per day?

A steer will clean up about 33 pounds per day.  Steers will make about 1 1/2 pounds gain in weight per day.

Concentrates with Alfalfa.

I have a good supply of alfalfa hay and have been feeding this as a straight feed for my dairy cows.  They are not, however, doing as well as they should and I am looking for some good feed to go with it.

You could probably get better returns by feeding about a pound of cocoanut meal and three of dried beet pulp than by any other combination of concentrates with straight alfalfa.  If you are producing market milk or butter prices justify it, more concentrates could profitably be fed.  It is an expensive proposition to build up a properly balanced ration with alfalfa and concentrates alone, and unless market milk is being sold, it usually does not pay.  The cheapest way to provide a balanced ration is not by concentrates, but by wheat or other grain straw, and let the cows eat all they care for.  This is very cheap and helps to balance a ration with green or dry alfalfa hay, is usually cheap, and is fine for cows.  Both are much less expensive than concentrates.

Chopping Hay for Horses.

What saving may be made by chopping all oat hay when fed to horses?

There is no particular saving in chopping hay unless the horses are worked very hard and for very long hours, as is often the case with express horses in the cities, or unless the power for cutting is very cheap and feed high.  The idea is that, except in unusual cases as above mentioned, the horses can do their own grinding cheaper than it can be done by power.  Somewhat less hay is wasted when fed cut than when fed long, but if they are not fed too much long hay they will waste very little.

Grain for Horses.

What is the best formula for feeding work horses with oat hay, alfalfa, barley (crushed) and corn as rations?

Feed one-half oat hay and one-half alfalfa hay, about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds per day for each 100 pounds live weight of the horse.  Add to this from 3/4 to 1 pound of rolled barley or corn for each 100 pounds live weight.  If the corn is on the cob, four-fifths of its weight is corn; that is to say, 5 pounds of corn on the cob has 4 pounds of grain.

Feeding Cut Alfalfa Hay.