146 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



for growth which at the time is deemed to be of more importance 

 to the owner of the animal than the fat. 



As referred to elsewhere, to reverse this process with respect 

 to the seasons of the year, and store fat in the winter with expen- 

 sive grains to be used in the summer to help the animal grow, is 

 using fat that has been manufactured at the highest possible cost 

 to make a product which at this season of the year is cheap to 

 make and of relatively low value. 



It is not to be understood from this that too much reliance 

 should be placed on the fat stored in summe/ for supporting the 

 growth process in winter. In truth, except in seasons of very 

 scarce and high-priced winter forage, it would be safer to attempt 

 to hold enough of the summer fat to keep the animal thrifty and 

 vigorous and support the growth process in winter mainly by the 

 feed then supplied. To make this matter clearer, it may be stated 

 that whenever the body weight of the animal is held stationary, i. 

 e., without gain or loss, and the animal continues to grow taller 

 and larger but thinner, which in the case of young animals always 

 happens, the fat is being used to support growth in accordance 

 with the manner outlined above. When the animal declines in 

 weight the fat is being used wastefully by being burned up to sup- 

 ply the ordinary maintenance requirements of the animal, and in 

 ordinary practice this use of fat is wholly unjustifiable. When the 

 animal is made to gain rapidly enough to prevent it from getting 

 thinner it is reasonable to suppose that sufficient food is being 

 given to supply the insistent demands of the growth process, and 

 under these circumstances it is assumed that no previously stored 

 fat is being resorbed. 



Maintain the Maximum Rate of Growth — It should be kept 

 constantly in mind that it is growth that is now sought to be pro- 

 duced in these animals. A steer uses its feed for three separate 

 and distinct purposes, viz. : Maintenance ; production of growth ; 

 production of fat. 



It has already been pointed out that the nourishing of these 

 animals on such a plane in winter as to cause them to store up 

 much fat when they are to be grazed the following summer is in- 

 advisable. It is nevertheless very important that the highest rate 

 of gain be maintained that is possible, without laying on a consider- 

 able amount of fat. It is not known exactly how far the growth 

 process may be promoted without causing the storing of fat as well. 

 That is, we do not yet know what the upper limit of growth is be- 

 fore the animal begins to deposit fat. Nor do we know how much 



