272 



PRODUCTIVE FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 



67) is most satisfactory on farms where hay and pasturage are 

 abundant and concentrates are expensive. These cattle are fed a 

 light grain ration the first winter and a half grain ration the sec- 

 ond" winter. They are fed grain while on pasture, but, as a full 

 feed of grain on grass is only two thirds of a full feed with hay, 

 this makes an economical method of feeding. The steers are gener- 

 ally fed soaked corn when on pasture, with some coarse crushed 

 linseed cake if they are on timothy or other grass pasture. Two-year- 

 olds are, as a rule, marketed in July during the early part of the 

 second summer, before hot weather and fly time set in ; if marketed 

 before July, they should not be put on grass at all the second sea- 



FIG. 67. Fattening steers in California. (Pacific Rural Press.) 



son, as the shrink that occurs during the first few weeks on grass 

 would reduce their weight. 



Two-year-olds are often also carried over to fall by feeding 

 fodder corn (corn with ears) after the ears have hardened and 

 when the fodder is ready to be shocked. The feeding of the corn is 

 continued for about three months until toward December, when 

 the steers will be sufficiently fat for the market. This method of 

 feeding furnishes an excellent and cheap combination of grain and 

 roughage well suited for fattening cattle. More liberal gains and 

 marketing at an earlier date may be secured by feeding, in addition 

 to fodder corn, bran and linseed meal in the proportion of 3 to 1, 

 giving about four pounds of mixture a day per steer. Gluten feed 

 or cottonseed meal may also be fed to advantage in the place of 

 linseed meal, if the market price is in favor of either of these feeds. 



Hogs Following Steers. It is a common practice to keep hogs 



