346 Effective Farming 



are of a slightly better grade than canners and carry sufficient 

 flesh to allow the loin and ribs to be sold over the butcher's 

 block ; the other parts of the carcass are used for canned meat. 

 Feeders are animals intended for immediate use in the feed 

 lot. Stockers are animals too young for immediate use as 

 feeders ; after attaining more growth they are placed in the feed 

 lot. Veal calves are those of suitable age, condition, and weight 

 to sell, when slaughtered, as veal. A milker is a cow in milk 

 or one with a calf at her side. A springer is a cow advanced 

 in pregnancy. Baby beef cattle include prime or choice steers 

 between one and two years of age that have the desired beef 

 conformation and show good killing quality. 



182. Feeding of beef cattle. As a business, the feeding of 

 beef cattle is changing rapidly. Formerly feeders were grown 

 on the western ranges and shipped to the corn-belt where they 

 were fed for a time and then sold for beef. The western ranges 

 are fast being settled by farmers and the large pastures are no 

 longer available. As a result feeders from the Western States 

 are becoming fewer in number. On many farms in the corn- 

 belt states where a large proportion of the land is too rough 

 for economical tillage, feeders can be raised advantageously. 

 The southern farmer also has good opportunities for raising 

 and fattening beef cattle and many are taking advantage of 

 these conditions. 



183. Rations for beef cattle. Corn is the grain used largely 

 in feeding beef cattle. It is supplemented by various by-prod- 

 uct feeds. Stover and straw are largely used as roughage. 

 Leguminous hays, including alfalfa, clover, and cowpeas, are 

 often fed to the animals with good results. Silage also is used 

 extensively. It saves grain in proportion to the amount of 

 mature ears in the silage. 



Rations will be affected, of course, by the feed available and 

 by the purpose of the feeding whether the cattle are being 

 fattened or are being carried over the winter with no attempt to 

 fatten them. Below are given some sample rations adapted 



