70 MISC. PUBLICATION 194. U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



older cattle make cheaper gains and still reach a satisfactory condi- 

 tion if they have had no grain previous to grain feeding on grass. 



In turning steers on pasture, especially those steers that are half 

 fat or in good condition from winter feeding of grain, it is very impor- 

 tant for the grass to have had a good start so that the cattle will not 

 scour too badly. When it is short and the water content is high the 

 cattle cannot get enough dry matter to equal the nutrients which they 

 have been accustomed to in dry feed. 



Ordinarily, cattle that are half fat at the beginning of the pasture 

 season should be finished in dry lot. However, if the steers that have 

 had a full feed in dry lot are to be turned on grass, it is better to turn 

 them out as soon as the grass starts to grow or a little before so that 

 they can get only very little grass at first. In that way, they may be 

 kept on a full feed of grain and not lose their appetite for it as they 



Figure 18.— In feeding cattle on pasture, feed bunks should be located on level land, especially the less 

 fertile portions, even though it is necessary to move them oftener. Their location on hillsides results 

 in serious losses of both soil and manure. 



would if they were able to get a full feed of grass all at once. If the 

 ground is solid and the steers have plenty of pasture and are full-fed 

 on grain the grass will come on without being appreciably damaged 

 by such a practice. The advantage of having the manure distributed 

 on the pasture will probably offset any damage done to a good sod by 

 such early grazing. 



Bluegrass is the outstanding grass for fattening steers in the areas 

 where it thrives, principally on account of its rather high dry-matter 

 content. Other leading grasses for fattening are Bermuda and Rhodes 

 grass in the South and the bluestems, grama, and wheat grasses in 

 the West. In fattening it is important that the animal can readily 

 obtain from 20 to 25 pounds of dry matter per day per 1,000 pounds 

 of live weight. Legumes are less satisfactory for fattening on account 

 of their liigher water content. Sweetclover, however, compares 

 favorably with bluegrass during June and July, when it is at its best. 



Corn alone is the most extensively used supplement to grass for 

 fattening steers. During the early part of the season no protein sup- 



