CHAPTER XXIII. 



COUNSEL IN THE FEED LOT. 



Most of the cattle used in America for beef production are grazed 

 in summer on lands not well adapted to tillage, thereby utilizing 

 grass and herbage that would otherwise be largely wasted. In win- 

 ter they run in the stalk fields or subsist on stover, poor hay, straw, 

 etc., materials likewise largely unmarketable. Then there is the 

 Great Plains region stretching from Mexico to British America, 

 where vast numbers of cattle are carried to the fattening age. Mum- 

 ford and Hall of the Illinois Station 1 tell us that 85 per ct. of the 

 cattle that reach the Chicago market are not raised by those who 

 finally fatten them. This indicates a most natural division of labor, 

 for cattle are fattened mostly on corn, and where corn is abundantly 

 produced there is little waste or low-priced grazing land, which is 

 essential in economically producing feeding cattle. 



568. Wintering the calf. Calves designed for beef production 

 should be carried thru the first winter on the best roughage available, 

 such as clover or alfalfa hay, corn silage, corn stover, etc. During 

 the 6 months of winter they should gain from 1 to 1.5 Ibs. each daily, 

 requiring the addition of 2 or 3 Ibs. of corn and a little bran or oil 

 meal to the ration. It is of the highest importance that during the 

 first winter the young steer gain steadily, enlarging its framework 

 but not laying on fat. (488) 



569. The yearling. Yearlings should have the best pasture avail- 

 able, in order that they gain steadily during the 6 months on grass. 

 Mumford and Hall of the Illinois Station 2 found that yearlings in- 

 crease about 1.6 Ibs. daily during the pasture season of six months. 

 Usually no grain should be fed during this period since such cattle 

 make satisfactory and the most economical gains on grass alone. 



During the second winter the coarser roughages may be advanta- 

 geously used, tho there should always be liberal provision of clover 

 or alfalfa hay since these render the other less palatable roughages 

 more acceptable and efficient. Feeding corn silage containing some 

 grain during the second winter will greatly tend to continuous growth 

 but not to fattening. (500-1) Where cattle are to be grazed the 



1 Cir. 79. 2 Loc. cit. 



363 



