322 



Feeds and Feeding. 



of 430 Ibs. of whole milk, 290 Ibs. of concentrates, and 200 Ibs. of 

 hay for 100 Ibs. of gain. During the second year no milk was given 

 of course. The calves then required nearly 3 times as much concen- 

 trates and hay for a given gain as during the first year. Calf No. 2, 

 which was smallest at birth, grew the fastest and made the cheapest 

 gains. (95) 



505. Cost of fattening influenced by age. At the Ottawa Ex- 

 perimental Farms 1 in trials during 4 winters with 153 head in all, 

 Grisdale compared the rate and cost of gains made by steers of dif- 

 ferent ages during feeding periods of about 6 months. The results 

 are shown in the following table, partially as arranged by Waters : 2 



Rate and cost of gain for fattening steers of various ages. 



'Three trials. 



It is seen that 6-months calves averaging 397 Ibs. in weight made 

 an average daily gain of 1.8 Ibs. during the fattening period of about 

 6 months, yearlings to 3-yr.-olds averaging about the same. The 

 feed cost for 100 Ibs. of gain was $4.22 with the calves, and increased 

 with the age of the animals, the gains made by the 3-yr.-olds costing 

 $6.36, or 50 per t. more than the calves, for each 100 Ibs. 



The greater cost of the gain by the older animals might have been 

 offset by buying these steers as feeders at slightly lower prices per 

 100 Ibs. than the younger animals, or by a small increase in their 

 selling price when fattened, which would be reasonable because of 

 their superior condition. If the yearlings could have been purchased 

 for 35 cents per 100 Ibs. less than was paid for the calves and sold 

 at the same price per 100 Ibs., or if after fattening they could have 

 been sold for 27 cents more per 100 Ibs., the increased cost of the 

 gains by the yearlings would have been met. 



Under the usual market conditions, young, unfinished animals cost 

 enough more per Ib. as feeders to counterbalance the lower feed-cost 

 required to make them fat. Mature cattle fatten more quickly than 

 do calves or yearlings. Hence when steers of different ages are fed 



1 Rpts. 1900-1904. 



2 Ept. Mo. Bd. Agr., 1907. 



