REPORT OF TEE AGRICULTURIST 279 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



be the dearest. Every little point requires careful consideration. The keen, broad, 

 business man will make a profit, or at least get good value for his feed. The narrow, 

 niggardly feeder will just as surely sell his feed cheap and work for low wages. 



GENERAL STATEMENT. 



During the year, steers were fed off to the value of $5,510.18. The cost, November 

 15th, 1900, was $3,485.40. The increase in value was $2,024.78. The feed cost, at 

 prices quoted above, $1,611.76. The gross cost to produce the beef was, therefore, 

 $5,097.16. 



This leaves a net profit of $413.02. The manure quite easily pays for the labour 

 of attending the stock and the wear and tear. 



The number of steers fed was 94. Of these, 12 were bought as calves. The net 

 profit per steer was $4.39. This is 5 cents per steer less than last year. Among the 

 steers purchased, however, were 2 which were unthrifty, and after feeding them 2 

 months it was found necessary to sell them at less than cost. 



DIFFERENT AGES. 



The experiments with calves, yearlings, two-year olds, and three-year olds are 

 rather interesting, as showing the great advantage of feeding growing animals as con- 

 trasted with mature or old animals. The yearlings and two-year olds put on flesh at 

 practically the same cost, while the calves were much more economical as meat pro- 

 ducers, and the three-year olds much less economical. The finished product varied in 

 value as follows : — 



Calves, $4.50 per 100 lbs. at 1 year old. 

 Yearlings, $4.77 per 100 lbs., at 2 years old. 

 Two-year olds, $5 per 100 lbs., at 3 years old. 

 Three-year olds, $5.12.\ per 100 lbs., at 4 years old. 



"While the cost to put on flesh was as follows : — 



Calves, $3.24 per 100 lbs. gain. 

 Yearlings, $5.77 per 100 lbs. gain. 

 Two-year olds, $5.71 per 100 lbs. gain. 

 Three-year olds, $6.37 per 100 lbs. gain. 



From a glance at the above, it might be concluded that on all save the calves a 

 loss was incurred. The fact of the case, however, as shown in the records below is 

 that on all there was a profit. 



The profit on each lot save the first alone is due to the increased value of the 

 flesh bought. The cost of the various lots being as follows : — 



Calves, cost $2.75 per 100 lbs. 



Yearlings, cost $3.38 per 100 lbs. 



Two-year olds, cost $3.50 per 100 lbs. 



Three-year olds, cost $4.25 per 100 lbs. 



This shows an increase in value of 100 pounds live weight of flesh purchased in 

 each case as follows : — 



Calves, increased value of 100 lbs. by $1.75. 

 Yearlings, increased value of 100 lbs. by $1.39. 

 Two-year olds, increased value of 100 lbs. by $1.50. 

 Three-year olds, increased value of 100 lbs. by 87i cents. 



The apparent break in the gradation of increase of value in live weight is duo 

 to the fact of the yearlings being rather small to make profitable shippers, and so 

 having to rank as 'butcher's cattle.' 



