GRASS BEEF 3I 



the results would show an average increase more like 16 than 

 20 stone. However, before the war, it was quite unusual for 

 a farmer to weigh his cattle either at the beginning or at the 

 end of the season, so it did not matter to him how much weight 

 they put on. The only way in which 99 per cent, of the owners 

 could calculate was by comparing prices of store-stock when 

 bought in and the prices made by the finished stock at the end 

 of the grazing season. 



Before 1900 I was frequently told by friends who were ex- 

 perienced in the work or by those who were familiar with the 

 trade, that an increase of 5 per head was necessary for the 

 grazier to get a good living; and between the years 1890 and 

 1900 I believe that most men either did this, or failed altogether. 

 From that time onwards the cost of stores went up without 

 any corresponding rise in the prices of beef, and the rents, the 

 big item of expenditure after the store had been paid for, were 

 about as low as they could be squeezed. Thus, in 1908 and 1909, 

 as I learnt on good evidence, it was only the exceptionally good 

 man who got an increase in value of 4 a head on the average 

 of the stores he fed, and of this sum 2. 5$. was rent. Over and 

 above the grazing season's grass, the land provided something 

 for the keep for the rest of the year ; some farmers would run 

 a ewe-flock very thinly spread over the land, others a few colts, 

 others a few store-cattle, others all three. But, even with this 

 help, the farmer's living could not be said to be a fat one 1 . 



It is difficult to calculate with uncertain data, but the fol- 

 lowing account of the grazing of big three-year-olds and the 

 finishing of yearlings may be taken as accurate. 



Five yearlings, weighing about 600 Ib. each, could be kept 

 on the same area of grass as would keep three big bullocks of 

 9 cwt. in weight. By all the available evidence (which is to me 

 conclusive) each of the five young animals would make at least 

 the same gain in live weight as each of the three older bullocks 

 provided that the precautions previously referred to are taken. 

 The cost of producing the young stores, though they involve 



1 It is hard to foresee this season (1918), when stores cost well over 805. 

 and feeders will have to sell at about 755. per cwt. live weight, how any 

 better financial return will be obtained. 



