FEEDING BEEF CATTLE 



259 



year-old steer will require approximately one-third more feed for 

 a given gain in weight than will the yearling, and the three-year-old 

 one-third more than the two-year-old. 4 While fattening young ani- 

 mals bring quicker and larger returns than older stock, under 

 otherwise similar conditions, there are special difficulties connected 

 with the fattening of young stock. It requires more skill and care 

 on the part of the feeder to obtain satisfactory rapid gains with 

 such stock. They require heavier grain feeding than older ani- 

 mals, and the chances for accidents are greater than with these. 



Results at Smithfield Show. The relation between the age of 

 fattening steers, the average daily gain, and the percentage dressed 

 weight is shown in the following table for one-, two-, and three- 

 year-olds of seven different beef breeds slaughtered at the Smith- 

 field, England, Fat Stock Show in 1888-1895: 5 



Average Data for Steers Slaughtered at the Smithfield Fat Stock Show, 1888-1895 



The average daily rate of gain was higher with the yearlings 

 than with the two-year-olds in case of all the breeds, and the daily 

 gain made by the two-year-olds higher than that of the three-year- 

 olds. The percentage dressed weight, on the other hand, was 

 lowest for the yearlings, the two-year-olds being next, and the 

 three-year-olds highest. We note that the yearlings gained 2.01 

 pounds, on the average, for each day of the fattening period; the 

 two-year-olds, 1.74 pounds, and the three-year-olds, 1.56, and that 

 the percentage dressed weights of the three classes of steers were 

 65.5, 67.1, and 67.9 per cent, for yearlings, two-, and three-year-olds, 

 respectively. 



Results at American Fat Stock Show. The records of the 

 American Fat Stock Show (precursor of the " International ") for 

 animals exhibited in the various classes have been compiled by 

 Stewart for the years 1878-1885. 6 Summary figures are given in 



4 Cyclopedia American Agriculture, vol. iii, p. 318; these figures doubt- 

 less refer especially to the corn belt. 



5 Reported annually in the Live Stock Journal and Agricultural Gazette, 

 London ; from a compilation by Henry. 



6 " Feeding Animals," 3rd ed., p. 530. 



