682 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Before getting into my subject, and by way of introduction, I wish to 

 say that I consider the best means of advertisement of one's herd is 

 that of growing steers and exhibiting them. The ultimate end of the 

 breeding business is the block. By feeding out steers one shows the 

 possibilities of his herd without injury to breeding stock. I would like 

 to see more of our breeders exhibiting a few steers. I would like to- 

 see our Fair Associations extend their premium lists and offer more 

 liberal prizes for steers. Just here let me add that I am in favor of ad- 

 vocating the elimination of the two-yeai'-old steer from exhibition and 

 laying more emphasis on the yearling and calf classes. I may have some 

 opposition in this opinion, but if our exhibitions are to be of value, they 

 must show what we must breed for and keep in mind at all times the 

 profitable animals. I do not believe the time is far off when our fairs 

 and international expositions will adopt this policy. 



Bull calves that are to be steered are castrated at about four months 

 of age; as a matter of fact the earlier they are castrated the more re- 

 fined they will be in appearance about the head and neck. Then, too, 

 another advantage is that no set-back will be encountered. A heavyi 

 milking dam is desired because a good start is absolutely essential. The 

 calf is permitted to run with his mother as long as is convenient. I am, 

 of the opinion that he does better if permitted to nurse as he wishes. 

 However, the matter of convenience of handling the cows enters into the 

 question of length of time he can be with the cow all of the time. 



As soon as the calf is old enough to begin to look for grain he is 

 given whole corn and oats. After a few months' time he is given a 

 grain mixture, preferably composed of cracked corn, ground oats and 

 bran in about equal parts by measure, with about 10 per cent of oil 

 meal by weight. This is fed according to his appetite. We think a good 

 quality of clover or alfalfa hay is the best roughage to be allowed at 

 all times. A word of caution should be given in feeding alfalfa — unless 

 calves are used to it, care should be exercised in feeding it as sometimes 

 it has a tendency to scour the young calves. If the calf is fall born, 

 through the winter he is given some corn silage through the day as he 

 desires to eat it. The ration given is one that will insure growth and 

 development and should put on all the fat required. If the calf is 

 spring born and intended for fall show, he is handled in very much the 

 same way except that after grass comes through, at night he may be 

 put on pasture and kept in during the day. As a rule the senior calves 

 are weaned soon after the International. 



For the older steers, during the winter time the problem is to get as-. 

 much growth as possible and keep increasing the fat, but not sufficiently 

 so that he will become rough. A grain ration composed of about equal 

 parts of corn, oats and bran and about 10 per cent of oil meal is given 

 morning and evening. Hay, of course, is given as they wish it. Early 

 in the morning all steers are turned out in the yard for exercise and 

 water. About 11 o'clock they are turned into another yard where there 

 are feed bunks filled with silage enough to keep them eating for about 

 an hour. Between 2 and 3 o'clock in. the afternoon they are all put back 

 into the stable where two steers occupy one box stall. Here they will. 



