450 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



the weights of 100 to 200 Ibs., over 800 Ibs. total digestible nutrients 

 were required for 100 Ibs of gain when the steers reached the weight of 

 1,000 Ibs. 



The feed cost of 100 Ibs. gain was higher for the first period than for 

 those immediately following, due to the whole milk fed. The cost then 

 rose gradually from $4.90 per 100 Ibs. gain between 200 and 300 Ibs. live 

 weight up to $15.40 between the weights of 1,400 and 1,500 Ibs. The 

 feed cost of the gains was especially high after the steers had reached 

 1,200 Ibs., at which time they were sufficiently well fleshed for the 

 market, but not fat enough for "prime" beef. There have been already 

 discussed in Chapter V the various factors which make the gains of 

 young animals less expensive, as is illustrated by these data. (114, 123) 



The steers which had been turned to pasture made much more rapid 

 and also more economical gains at the same live weight periods than those 

 which had had no pasture. This was because they were more growthy 

 and carried less flesh, and also possibly owing to a greater supply of 

 vitamines or other unknown factors of nutrition which they secured in 

 abundance from the green forage, that put them in the best condition to 

 make profitable gains. From the amounts of feed required for 100 Ibs. 

 gain, the approximate cost at local prices for the various periods may 

 readily be determined. 



In these investigations by Haecker it was found that the older steers 

 actually stored as much energy in their bodies for each 100 Ibs. of total 

 digestible nutrients in the feed they ate, as did the younger steers. How- 

 ever, as the gains in body tissues of the young steers were high in water 

 and low in fat, while the gains of the older steers consisted chiefly of 

 energy-rich fat, much more feed was required by the older steers per 

 100 Ibs. of gain in weight, as has already been pointed out. 



In a previous Comparison of the economy with which the various farm 

 animals convert their feed into human food, it has been shown that beef 

 cattle rank along with sheep in the economy with which they produce 

 edible meat, and are greatly excelled by swine. (132) In these investi- 

 gations it was found that well-finished 1,200-lb. steers yielded in their 

 carcasses 10.95 Ibs. of edible meat and fatty tissues, containing 6.02 Ibs. 

 dry matter, for each 100 Ibs. total digestible nutrients they had consumed 

 during their growth and fattening. 



712. Influence of age on cost of fattening. On account of the great 

 practical importance of the question, many trials have been conducted 

 to compare the cost of gains and the profits from fattening calves, year- 

 lings, 2-year-olds, and older cattle. In the table on the next page are 

 averaged the results secured in two trials of this nature at the Indiana 

 Station 3 by Skinner and Cochel with well-bred beef steers, fed until each 

 lot would sell as prime beeves. The calves were of the best type and 

 breeding possible to obtain, as it is not practicable to attempt to produce 

 fine yearling beef from inferior calves. The yearlings and 2-year-olds 



3 Ind. Bui. 146, 



