346 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



there is no other food product equal lo it, yet I have often obtained good 

 results from a little change in ration, such as the addition of a ration of 

 oil meal, bran or oats, which seems to help the digestive functions and 

 aid in giving a good finish to me steer. 



The value of good roughage should not be overlooked. Red clover 

 hay is my preference and corn fodder comes next. This roughage aids 

 in the digestion of the stronger foods, as well as inclining the cattle to 

 be more quiet and restful. 



The question of margin to afford a reasonable profit is a very impor- 

 tant one. All the details can not ])e discussed in a short article. As 

 nearly every farmer engaged in this industry is a ''cattle feeder" and not 

 a "cattle grower," as he must pay cash for the raw material which in 

 six months he expects to have finished for the market, he must take a 

 conservative course to allow for fluctuations in the market and changes 

 in the business and industrial world generally. If he has all the equip- 

 ment necessary he must realize a reasonable profit on the investment, 

 and as "the laborer is worthy of his hire," he should realize some reward 

 for his work and experience. Granting that the hogs will pay for the 

 labor and roughage, we will take the following table as an average esti- 

 mate at different market values, taking as an example a steer weighing 

 one thousand pounds, consuming eighty bushels of thirty cent corn and 

 gaining four hundred pounds with six months' feed on a margin of one 

 dollar profit. This estimate does not make any allowance for unavoid- 

 able accidents of unprofitable animals in the herd. 



It will thus be seen that the price of cattle has a great deal to do 

 with the amount of profit. 



To summarize briefly then, the feeder must be reasonably sure of a 

 margin of from one dollar to one dollar and fifty cents, depending upon 

 above conditions to realize a reasonable profit for his trouble. 



BUYING STEERS FOR THE FEED LOT. 



A. L. Ames, Before Black Haick County Farmers' Institute. 



The best method of buying steers for the feed lot is a problem never 

 solved, and is always new and of vital interest to the feeder. The old 

 adage, "An article well bought is half sold." was never better illustrated. 

 When? Hg»w? Where? What kind? What weight and what price? 

 are questions that should be thoroughly settled in the mind of the pros- 



