BEEF CATTLE 171 



usuall}^ come in the spring and milk only during the summer, 

 so that the beef cow is dry during the winter. Beef cattle 

 also carry more fat and are fed more of the fattening feeds 

 which also produce more heat. 



It seems, therefore, that the advantages of one just about 

 balance the advantages of the other. Consequently it remains 

 a matter of individual choice or possibility, as to whether beef 

 or dairy cattle shall be kept on one's farm. 



The necessity of livestock on a farm is very apparent. 

 Dairying is especially adapted to older sections of the country 

 where labor is plentiful and not too high in price; also to farms 

 where there are several children whose profitable and judicious 

 employment not only adds to the revenues of the farm but 

 also to the highest development and proper habits of the 

 children. Where the conditions do not favor dairying, beef 

 cattle should by all means be adopted. 



Mature beef cattle are fed either a maintenance or a fatten- 

 ing ration. The former is used when the cows are just being 

 wintered and the latter when they are being prepared for 

 market. In this they differ from dairy cattle. 



Beef calves are usually allowed to run with their dams 

 till they are about six months old. At the same time, they 

 should have grass, or in winter, hay and grain. They should 

 have salt and water at all times. The weaning should be 

 gradual to a good ration of hay or grass and grain, with salt 

 and water. The protein feeds must be supplied here the same 

 as with dairy calves. Exercise should be given at all times. 



Baby Beef. — By baby beef is meant beef from young cattle 

 that are put on the market before they have come to maturity. 

 Such cattle must be especially well fed from calfhood imtil 

 they are sold. This is at about eighteen months of age. They 

 must be '' crowded" or fed all they can eat, all the time. 

 They must be made both to grow and fatten at the same time. 

 They cost less to produce than older beef cattle. This is true 

 because a young animal alwaj^s makes cheaper gains than an 

 older one. But if they are sold too light the capacity of the 

 machine as a whole has not been reached on account of its 

 small size. The animal has been cut off before it has reached 

 the end for which it was developed. When such calves are 



