Several years ago, research at this station showed that the implantation of pellets of stilbestrol (diethylstilbestrol) beneath the hide of growing and fattening steers and heifers resulted in a significant increase in daily gain and a definite improvement in feed efficiency. In our early studies we used implant levels ranging from 42 to 120 milligrams of stilbestrol per heifer or steer. Many times, these levels caused objectionable side reactions characterized by raised tail heads, excessive riding, relaxation of the loin region and mammary development. It appears now that it may be possible to obtain a significant improvement in the the performance of cattle, without the objectionable side effects, by using lower levels of stilbestrol implants (24 to 36 milligrams per steer daily).
Recently the use of stilbestrol, pellets in beef cattle has been approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration, and oral feeding was approved in 1954 =
In view of these facts, an experiment was set up to re-evaluate the use of stilbestrol pellets for beef cattle and compare directly with oral feeding. The objectives of this experiment were, as follow:
1.	To compare stilbestrol pellets (implanted under the skin at the base of the ear) with the daily oral feeding of stilbestrol.
2.	To compare levels of stilbestrol implants ranging from 12 to 48 milligrams for steer calves.
3.	To study the effect of feeding an antibiotic with each of the above treatments.
Mimeo A. H. 165 April 27 1956 (Progress Report)
Experimental
Eighty Hereford steer calves, which were raised in New Mexi.c.o, were purchased at an average price of $22.50 per hundredweight delivered to Lafayette, Indiana, the third week in January, 1956. Seventy-two of these steers were divided into 12 lots of 6 steers each with an average starting weight of 513 pounds.
All 12 lots ‘were fed a fattening ration of a full feed of ground ear corn; 2 pounds hirdue Cattle Supplement A; 15 pounds corn silage; and free choice mineral mixture of 2 bonemeal: 1 salt, plus loose salt.
Purdue University
Agricultural Experiment Station
Lafayette, Indiana
ORAL STILBESTROL vs. LEVELS OF IMPLANTED STILBESTROL, WITH and WITHOUT AUREOMYCIN
T. W. Perry, W. M. Beeson, M. T. Mohler, Martin Stob and F. N. Andrews
Department of Animal Husbandry