FINISHING SHOW STOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 236, 5 October 1928, Page 15

FINISHING SHOW STOCK.

FOODS AND THEIR VALUES.

HINTS FOR EXHIBITORS.

(By ..SUNDOWNER.)

All over the country at present exhibitors of stock are preparing their , animals for the forthcoming spring , shows with the object of turning them . out in the very best show condition. , Each breeder has his own ideas regardins the treatment and goods most likely ' to give his animals that bloom which will catch the eye of the judge and the i public, but for those who are perhaps ' just starting in the show business it may be of interest to give some information regarding the most suitable foods to supply to the animals during the most important finishing-off period. ' In the first place, in preparing animals for show by feeding concentrates, it must be refiiembered that each animal has individual preferences and will often eat one class of food readily, while it refuses the same constituents presented in another form. The preferences of each animal must therefore be studied separately. The cost of feed, which is a vital consideration when group feeding for productiori is being undertaken, does not, of course, enters into the picture to the same extent where special preparation of a few show animals is the object, hence we can afford to use foods which, ordinarily, would be out of the question. Maize Meal for Fattening. Where rapid fattening of the animals is the object, maize is popular, being comparatively high in carbohydrates and fats and low in protein and mineral matter. Its analysis is 7.51b of digestible protein, 67.81b of carbohydrates and 4.61b of fat per 1001b of grain. While cattle will fatten faster on maize with a smaller requirement of feed than on any other of the common foods, there are Bome objections to feeding show ckttle heavily on maize as they are apt to put on too much fat on the ribs and rump, without simultaneous muscle development. After animals fed on maize become very fat and are held in this condition for some time, they usually become soft in their j fleshing, consequently they arc at a disadvantage when handled by the judge. Nevertheless maize is a most valuable preparation food when used with discretion. Barley a Popular Food. Barley, which is considered one of the best feeds for show cattle, is lower in carbohydrate* and fat than maize and higher in protein and mineral matter. As a result, barley will put on a mellow, smooth finish. It should, of course, be ground or soaked, as otherwise a large proportion of the grain will remain undigested. Oats. i Oats are very nearly a balanced grain, containing 9.71b of protein, 52.11b of carbohydrates, and 3.81b of fat per 1001b of, grain. They are also extremely palatable and are relished by all classes of animals and in a crushed form should be included in all rations fed to show animals. They promote growth and activity rather than fat, and also benefit the coat considerably. Bran and Linseed MeaL Bran is the only form in which wheat is fed to any extent to animals. It is comparatively high in protein and mineral matter, which forms its chief value, although it also serves to tempt the animal's appetite and is slightly laxative. The finest grain for putting a gloss on the coat of a show animal is undoubtedly linseed meal. It is palatable, high in protein, analysing 30.2 per cent, and slightly laxative. For this latter reason it should not be fed in too large quantity or scouring may result and the condition of the bowels should always be watched a3 a guide to how much should be fed. Molasses, dissolved in water and used to dampen the feed, makes the mixture more palatable and also serves to improve the gloss of the coat. It also is somewhat laxative and should not be fed in too great quantity, nor should the feed be more than just dampened, as sloppy feed does not appeal to any animals other than pigs. Balanced Mixture Necessary. A mixture of the foregoing foods in the proportions that the condition of each individual animal may require to remedy defects in condition, fleshing, coat, vitality or appetite, should prove satisfactory in the final preparation of show animals, but they should always have access to young, clean grass for I some hours daily, while good meadow hay should be always available to provide bulk. Roots are extremely valuable for cattle during the final stages of their preparation, and especially when they are off feed. They seem to bring back the appetite, while the addition of 6alt to the food mixture, or a lump of rock salt always available in the feed box is a great aid to both health and appetite.

Steaming the mixture of foods always appears to make it more attractive to the animals, although it has not been proved that it improves its nutritive value in any way. Mixing feeds always increases the palat>bility of the ration, and it might almost be said that the secret of success lies in variety in the feed. By mixing feeds one can also regulate the relative amounts of carbohydrates and proteins supplied, and in this respect the demands of individual animals may vary widely. Rations Se commended. A ration of 1 part of ground maize, 1 part of crushed oats, and 1 part of bran by measure, to which is added one or two handfuls of linseed meal, and the whole dampened with molasses dissolved in boiling water makes a good ration to start with, while this can be varied from time to time by using ground barley in place of maize. A ration which has also been used successfully for cattle is ,1 part of ground maize or barley, 1 part of ground wheat, 2 parts of ground oats and 2 parts of bran by measure. This can be varied by leaving out the bran and substituting 5 per cent of oilmeal, and again by feeding dry, or steaming with molasses in boiling water. Rugging, grooming, exercise and water supply are all important in conjunction with feeding in show preparation, but the regulation of these can safely be left to the intelligence of the exhibitor.