FARM ANIMALS 137 



Hereford and thus the possibility of combining 

 dairying and beef production in a most economic 

 manner is realized. 



In a comparison of western and southern steers 

 for beef production in Iowa it was found that cattle 

 from southern ranges may be taken directly to Iowa 

 feeding lots and used for feeding purposes. Under 

 these conditions when fed on the same feeds as 

 western steers they gain as fast or even faster than 

 the range steers. Southern steers have been found 

 to take on flesh readily and can be brought to a 

 market maturity in a satisfactory manner. 



Heifers are usually bred for beef production dur- 

 ing the spring after they become two years old. 

 Some difference prevails in this matter, however, so 

 that the breeding age of heifers ranges from 12 to 

 36 months. As a rule probably the best results are 

 obtained from breeding heifers at the age of two 

 years. 



The extent to which pure-bred bulls are kept 

 for the production of beef cattle varies greatly in 

 different parts of the country. In Illinois about 

 87 per cent, of the raisers keep pure-bred sires, the 

 remainder using grade bulls. The pure breeds 

 stand in the following order in point of numbers: 

 Shorthorn, Hereford, Angus, Red Poll, Polled 

 Durham and Galloway. The question is often 

 raised by the farmer as to whether he can afford 

 to buy thoroughbred bulls for the production of 

 beef. This may be answered in different ways. 

 If the farmer has only a few cows and is not in a 

 position to raise fine beef after the most approved 

 methods of feeding and care, it will not prove 

 profitable for him to buy pure-bred bulls. In 

 other words if a large initial expense is to be in- 

 curred for the purchase of fine stock it is necessary 



