126 TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



breeding purposes, however, the average value of all our domestic 

 animals has been constantly increased, so that loss in numbers 

 has been partially equalized by increase in quality. 



In partial explanation of the decline of beef cattle in this 

 country since 1900, it may be said that, in the cornbelt, cattle 

 breeding has largely changed to cattle feeding since thirty years 

 ago. Range and ranch began to supply feeders cheaper than 

 they could be raised on the farm. But limitations to the pro- 

 duction of feeders began to appear. In the West, decline in 

 production of feeders was caused by the enforcement of the no- 

 fence law on the public land, by homesteading, and by dry 

 farming, while in the cornbelt the raising of steers for feeding 

 declined because of increase in dairying, increased cost of stockers 

 and feeders, and in neglect to feed roughage. 



As the supply of feeders from western ranges and ranches 

 is certain to become more and more limited, there never was a 

 better time for the cornbelt farmer to engage in the business of 

 beef production; the time is ripe for the man who wants to breed 

 as well as feed cattle for the market. 



In Iowa during 1911-1912, 24 farms produced 816 calves 

 and fed them out as baby beeves at a profit of $7.00 per head. 

 The cost of keeping the cow a year, the cost of feeds at full mar- 

 ket prices, and the interest on the investment were all figured in. 

 In 1912-1913, 36 farms bred, fed, and sold 983 calves at an 

 average weight of 876 pounds. The average age of these calves 

 was 16 months. They sold at $8.60 per cwt., or $75.30 per 

 head. The cost per head was $59.20; this left a profit of $16.10 

 per head. A comparison of crop yields during five years on ten 

 beef cattle farms in ten counties in Iowa, and on ten grain farms 

 in the same neighborhoods showed that the cattle farms averaged 

 14 bu. more corn per acre, 7 bu. more oats, and 1 ton more hay. 

 Baby beef production has the following advantages: 1. There 

 is money in the business at present and prospective prices. 



2. It pays better than average market prices for farm crops. 



3. It makes use of rough lands otherwise wasted. 4. It helps 

 to maintain soil fertility. 5. Helps solve the labor problem. 



When breeding for beef, the producer must use good cattle 

 of the beef type. Attention must be given to the selection of 

 both the cows and the bulls, and an effort must be made to 

 breed for market what the market wants and will pay for in 

 amount sufficient to return a profit. In some years, feeders 

 of cattle find it more profitable to buy rather a low grade of 



