64 TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



to the following questions: 1. Which type of steer makes the 

 greater gains from pounds of feed consumed? 2. In the gains 

 made, what differences exist between the two types as to dis- 

 tribution of such gains over the body? 3. Which type of steer 

 yields the greater profit to the feeder? 4. Which type shows 

 the greater amount of offal? 5. Which type carries the higher 

 percentage of tallow? 6. Which type carries the higher per- 

 centage of valuable cuts? 7. In considering the various com- 

 mercial cuts from the two types, what differences are to be 

 found as regards: weight, thickness, covering of fat, marbling, 

 color, and fineness of grain? 8. Is the low price paid for dairy- 

 type steers due to prejudice, or to an actual inferiority in the 

 value of the carcasses? 



Four beef-type steers and four dairy-type steers were put 

 on feed January 1, 1903, and fed one year. The steers were on 

 dry feed during the entire time, so that the exact amount of feed 

 consumed by each lot might be known. Of the four beef steers, 

 two were high-grade Herefords, and two, purebred Angus. 

 The four dairy steers consisted of two Jerseys and two Holsteins. 

 The ages at the beginning of the test were approximately as fol- 

 ows: Average of Herefords, 16 months; of Angus, 18 months; 

 of Holsteins, 24 months; and of Jerseys, 18 months. The feeds 

 given were mixed hay, sorghum (during July and August), corn 

 meal, bran, oil meal, and gluten feed. The conditions were 

 alike for all the animals, and the feed was the same, but each 

 animal was given all he would clean up regularly. At the end 

 of the feeding test the cattle were bought in separate lots by 

 the head buyer of a packing company of Des Moines, Iowa. 

 The prices given were the market prices for such steers, Decem- 

 ber 28, 1903. 



Following is a summary of the first part of the investiga- 

 tion: 



Beef Dairy 



steers steers 



Average weight at beginning, Ibs 685 574 



Average gain per steer, Ibs 606 598 



Average value of feed consumed per steer $47.27 $45. 18 



Average cost of one pound of gain 7. 81c 7. 63c 



Percentage of dressed weight in slaughter test 61 . 7 57. 15 



Selling value, average price per pound 4. 888c 3 . 752c 



The dairy-type steers made their gains at a trifle less cost 

 per pound than did the beef steers, indicating that their digestive 

 and assimilative functions were slightly more vigorous in this 



