affected by relatively small changes in the corn-corn silage rations. Although cattle gains
increased with increasing levels of grain, increases of 20% or more in corn dry matter levels,
with corresponding decreases in corn silage dry matter levels, appear necessary to make
appreciable improvement in cattle gains.

 Results of a similar experiment at the University of Illinois (Ill. AS-657a, 1970) agree
closely with results reported herein, with the exception that gain and feed conversion with
silage and no grain in the Illinois trial were comparable to that with silage plus IfI corn
at 1% of body weight daily (Lot 21) in this Florida trial. This was undoubtedly due to the
50% grain content of the Illinois silage compared to about 40% grain content of the Florida
silage (dry matter basis).

 If a charge of $0.10 per head daily for non-feed costs is added to costs of feed (No. 2
corn, $1.80 bushel; and 65% moisture corn silage, $14 ton), the lots fed higher levels of
corn had a small advantage in cost of gain. In fact, with $14/ton silage, the groups fed
higher levels of silage would not have had an advantage in cost of gain with No. 2 corn
priced at $2.40 per bushel. Furthermore, if torn were priced at $2.40 per bushel, corn
silage would probably be priced higher than $14 per ton. To make estimates of feed cost of
gain with varying prices of corn and corn silage, the following comparison based on results
of this trial may be helpful:

 Comparison Lot 24 (no silage) with Lot 20 (minimum grain)
 (1) Corn was worth 4.32 times as much as corn silage (wet weight)
 (2) Corn was worth 2.12 times as much as corn silage (dry matter)
 With Lot 21 (moderate grain)
 (I) Corn was worth 4.04 times as much as corn silage (wet weight)
 (2) Corn was worth 1.97 times as much as corn silage (dry matter)
 With Lot 23 (heavy grain)
 (1) Corn was worth 4.91 times as much as corn silage (wet weight)
 (2) Corn was worth 2.37 times as much as corn silage (dry matter)

 Comparison Lot 23 (Heavy grain + silage) with Lot 20 (minimum grain)
 (1) Corn was worth 4.12 times as much as corn silage (wet weight)
 (2) Corn was worth 2.03 times as much as corn silage (dry matter)
 With Lot 21 (moderate grain)
 (1) Corn was worth 3.48 times as much as corn silage (wet weight)
 (2) Corn was worth 1.71 times as much as corn silage (dry matter)

 Comparison Lot 21 (moderate grain) with Lot 23 (heavy grain-silage)
 (1) Corn was worth 4.81 times as much as corn silage (wet weight)
 (2) Corn was worth 2.38 times as much as corn silage (dry matter)

 To illustrate, if a decision is needed on whether to feed a high-grain ration similar
to that fed to Lot 23, or to feed only a moderate level of grain such as fed to Lot 21;

 Assume high moisture corn is worth $90 ton (wet, 25% moisture); or $102 ton (No. 2 basis),
or $2.85 bushel
 $90
 4.81 = $18.71

 Higher level of silage as fed to Lot 21 would be justified if silage cost $18.71 ton,
or less, (wet).
 Conversely, if silage costs $20 ton (wet) $20 X 4.81 = $96.20
 Additional corn could be added to a ration, such as fed to Lot 21, if I1. corn costs
less than $96.20 ton (wet).