FOURTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X. 707 



"I was slow in getting silos," said Mr. Escher. "I was like the man 

 who told me once that he had lost a million dollars in Iowa in an early- 

 day." 'How was that?' I asked. 'By not having cattle enough to eat 

 all the grass that was here when I came,' was the reply. I lost a lot of 

 money by not having silos long ago. However, I have four now and will 

 have four more by filling time." 



Another point proved by the year's feeding was the advantage of 

 feeding younger steers. Through the latter months of the year the 

 steers started on feed as calves made nearly half a pound of grain a 

 day more than their brothers a year older. The gains were also made 

 more cheaply. The younger cattle won the championship and sold better 

 than the two year olds. 



"The baby beef steer is the butcher's ideal," said Mr. Escher. "He 

 makes bigger and more economical gains; may be carried past a bad 

 spot in the market if necessary without loss; costs less to produce, sells 

 better and yields more profit. That is why the older steer is going out 

 of fashion with the man who is producing beef." 



Speaking from the topic "The Trend of the Times in Beef Produc- 

 tion" Prof. W. H. Pew, head of the Animal Husbandry department of the 

 Iowa State College, pointed out that the year's markets, recent show yard 

 records, experimental records and the action of many of the most pro- 

 gressive cattle men all point toward the production of so called baby 

 beef, or the fat 900-1150 pound yearling rather than the heavy two 

 or three year old steer. Especially is this the case where the feeder 

 cattle must be produced on Iowa land. 



The general beef cattle shortage and consequent demand and high 

 price, feeder cattle scarcity and high prices of feeds and cattle all in- 

 dicate the growing and feeding out of calves rather than feeding of 

 older steers on many Iowa farms. 



Corn silage, alfalfa and clover, the better care of pastures, the proper 

 use of concentrates and above all, better breeding stock, all help cut 

 down the cost of producing beef. The trend of the times seems to be 

 greater and more efficient use of these things on the average cattle 

 producing farm. 



"The Present Status of the Beef Industry" according to Dean C. F. 

 Curtiss, is that of any industry in which demand for the product exceeds 

 the supply. Since 1907 the population of the United States has increased 

 9.5 per cent. During the same time the number of beef cattle has de- 

 creased 30 per cent. The world shortage of beef is nearly as acute. Meat 

 importations under free trade conditions are not large enough to be 

 seriously important once markets are adjusted. 



The west will produce more beef than now. Proper lease laws, and 

 regulation of range and grazing grounds will increase their meat pro- 

 ducing power. This has already been shown in the grazing lands of the 

 forest reserves. ' ' 



The United States will always need immense quantities of beef. The 

 American workman must and will have meat, and this will be beef so 

 long as he can pay for it. Iowa can produce beef now and in the future 

 at a profit if the best methods of production are used. 



