60S IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



the Herefords, with less age and in not as good flesh, made $45 per head, 

 and the Short-horn heifers with the same flesh and weight but less age 

 made $37.50. The man who fed the common load went home perhaps 

 asking himself. " \Vhat is the matter with the trade in baby beef?" 



Many yearlings "have been marketed this summer before they were 

 finished, and what effect this premature marketing will have on next 

 year's crop is a matter of speculation, but three things seem reasonably 

 sure: first, a broader demand, because a very big part of the crop was 

 marketed during a short period, and Avas thus forced over more territory 

 than ever before and acted as an educator for the consumer (though it 

 \^as a costly lesson for the producer), whereas conservative marketing 

 would have caused it to flow through much the same channels; second, 

 a better class of calves will be put in the feed lot this fall to be better 

 sheltered and cared for and fed to a better finish; and third, it will keep 

 many a man from trying again who was tempted by last year's good de- 

 mand and prices to think that the making of baby beef was an avenue to 

 sudden wealth, but having no experience or proper accommodations came 

 out at the little end of the horn; and such men are mostly the ones to 

 cut loose as soon as the market breaks and so make matters worse. Un- 

 less a man is able to shut his eyes at times and go on feeding in spite 

 of what others think or say or do he should not undertake to feed calves 

 for baby beef. 



AN ILLINOIS FEEDER'S METHOD. 



Thos. F. Crawford, Rock Island County, Illinois, in Breeders Gazette.. 



For thirty-five years I have fed from 100 to 150 head of cattle each year, 

 part in dry lot until sold, and the others in February, selling in August 

 or September. The dry lot cattle I like to have of one breed and as even 

 as possible and to average from 1,000 to 1,100 pounds. I place them in 

 the yard about the middle of November and it takes me about one month 

 to get them on full feed. I have a double crib with troughs on both 

 sides and doors through which to shovel corn. There are sheds on both 

 sides of the crib. 



After the cattle are on full feed I feed once a day, cleaning the trough 

 before feeding. If I have it I feed clover hay. It is best in my opin- 

 ion. I break the ears of corn. I think it better to feed whole com; 

 they do not eat it so fast when fed whole. I keep corn in the troughs 

 all the time, so the timid ones get full feed. If one could have whole 

 fodder I think it the best for a balanced ration. This bunch I like to 

 market from the middle of June to the middle of July. In this time 1 

 make a gain of 375 to 425 pounds. 



