GENERAL PROBLEMS IN BEEF PRODUCTION 



449 



fed only a limited amount of concentrates. At no time after weaning 

 were they fed over 1 ,lb. of concentrates per 100 Ibs. live weight. Yet 

 at about 2 years of age they reached a weight of 1,200 Ibs. and were 

 sufficiently well fleshed to be ready for market. Some of the steers were 

 continued on trial until they reached 1,500 Ibs., to determine the cost of 

 thoroly fattening them. In order to keep a record of all the feed they 

 consumed, part of the steers were never turned to pasture, but were 

 raised and fattened in barn and dry lot. Others were pastured the second 

 summer and then returned to the barn and fattened that winter. 



The following table summarizes some of the most important data 

 secured in these investigations: 



Feed required for 100 Ibs. gain by steers of various ages 



The daily gains of the steers increased until they reached 600 Ibs. in 

 weight, after which they decreased slightly. The amount of feed required 

 for 100 Ibs. gain rose steadily as the steers grew and fattened. While only 

 225 Ibs. total digestible nutrients were required for 100 Ibs. gain between 



