PRICES OF STORE CATTLE 289 



The figures show that at these rates the flesh of young 

 well-bred animals fetched higher market prices than did that 

 of animals ready for the butcher, but it must be admitted that 

 these figures and relations vary from time to time with the 

 condition of the market. 



When the animal is young and growing it requires more 

 exercise to keep it in health, and there is in consequence 

 greater waste of food substance than when it is finally shut 

 up to finish. Against this must be put the fact that the 

 food consumed by the young and growing portion of the 

 stock of the farm is, or ought to be, the least costly. 



With the reduction in the prices of artificial food stuffs 

 the value of the life of the well-bred animal has been pro- 

 portionally increased, as will be noticed when it is realised 

 that the price paid for the flesh of a year-old store bullock, 

 costing 343. per cwt, or 43. 3d. per stone live-weight, is 

 equivalent to nearly 8s. 6d. per stone, estimating it at 50 per 

 cent, dead- to live-weight. 



Should an animal in store condition be slaughtered, the 

 beef being unfinished will naturally bring a low price. It 

 is therefore, as previously stated, the life of the animal that 

 is valued, in prospect of what it will ultimately produce when 

 the fattening process is completed. 



A great many farmers in this country understand the 

 business of beef production so badly that they sell before the 

 animals are properly fed out, and, while they get 33. or 

 43. a cwt. below the price going for well-finished beef, they 

 flood the market with an inferior article and lower rates all 

 round. 



The market value of life in this sense varies according to 

 quality, as the value of beef varies for the same reason, and 

 we find well-bred animals selling at higher prices, weight 

 for weight, than ordinary beasts the presumption as re- 

 gards their possible performances is worth so much more 

 to the purchaser. 



The dead-weight of a fat animal can be approximately 

 estimated by measurement. One of the most simple 

 and useful of the various rules employed in making the 

 calculation is the following : Multiply the square of the 

 girth in feet by the length in feet, and by -24, or -25, or -26, 

 according as the animal is thought to be in moderate, in 



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