ftirdue University	AH - 103
^Agricultural Experiment Station	April 24, 1953
lafayetve, Indiana
The Supplementation of Corn Cobs for Brood Cows
To W. Perry and W. Mo Beeson Department of Animal Husbandry
A previous experiment (Memo AH 94) has shown that pregnant brood cows and heifers could be wintered satisfactorily on a ration consisting of ground corn cobs, 1 pound of dehydrated alfalfa meal and 3.5 lb* of Purdue Cattle Supplement A which contained a slightly increased amount of vitamin Ao Ground corn cob consumption had to be limited to 14®5 lb* daily to keep the cows from getting too fate Under this type of wintering program, brood cows and heifers produced the same percentage calf crop (83 percent) which gained as rapidly (1*75 lb* daily) as cows receiving mixed clover-timothy free choice—and lost approximately 50 percent less body weight*
Experimental Procedure
On December 24, 1952, twenty-eight purebred Shorthorn cows at the Purdue Livestock Experimental Farm were divided into two lots of 14 cows each on the basis of age, condition and weight* Both lots had access to water and a mineral mixture of 2 parts steamed bonemeal and 1 part iodized salt plus iodized salt in another box* One lot of cows is being fed a daily ration of 3®5 lb. Purdue Cattle Supplement A which has been fortified with additional vitamin A, A second lot is being fed a daily ration of 3®5 lb. Purdue Cattle Supplement A in which dehydrated alfalfa meal is incorporated instead of malt sprouts for absorbing the molasses* Vitamin A content was adjusted accordingly, oaking into account the vitamin A (carotene) contained in dehydrated alfalfa meal* The only roughage being fed is ground corn cobs*
Both lots of cows and claves were turned to pasture April 15, 1953®
Table 1. Composition of Supplements
Progress Report
• Since this research is still in progress, no final report can be made* However, 1 lots of cows have been calving and the calves from both lots appear equally