54 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



the general market is rising. It pays the feeder well to be well posted on 

 market conditions. 



If one has two or more cars of stock in fit condition to sell and under- 

 stands the market conditions, there is no reason why he should not ship and 

 sell on the market. Selling in this manner insures the producer getting all 

 the possible profit that might go to the local buyer. He also incurs the same 

 risk of losing that is incurred by the shipper. Shipping and accompanying 

 stock to the market offers advantages in one's becoming familiar with market 

 types and classes and their values. To be on the market with cattle enables 

 one to come in contact and make the acquaintance of men from many sections 

 of the country and to gain a knowledge of their methods, conditions and 

 opinions, which is valuable from the standpoint of fattening cattle in the most 

 profitable manner. To make the acquaintance of commission firms at the 

 leading markets also secures their interest in one's welfare and it should be 

 understood that they are glad to keep feeders posted accurately on market con- 

 ditions and the most suitable times for buying and selling to* the extent that 

 it is possible for them to do so. 



How to Ship Fat Cattle. The feed for fat cattle should be changed 

 for a day or two prior to loading cattle for shipment in order to avoid undue 

 shrinkage. Cattle fed silage, grass or beet pulp are subject to greater shrinkage 

 than cattle fed otherwise unless particular precaution is taken. In all instances 

 cattle should be filled when loaded, with feed having as little moisture in it as pos- 

 sible like the best of hay and whole oats if any grain is supplied- Clay, of the 

 Chicago Union Stock Yards, writes : "A steer full of water is apt to have loose 

 bowels and show up badly in the yards. Properly handled cattle should arrive 

 in the sale pens dry behind and ready for a good fill of water ; not very thirsty, 

 but in good condition to drink freely. As to feed on the road, nothing excels 

 corn or other grains because it is easily digested and does not fever the animal. 

 Cattle should arrive at the sale yards at 5:00 to 8:00 A. M., appearing on the 

 scene as near the later hour as possible' since they always look better just after 

 they have been fed and watered." 



BABY BEEF PRODUCTION. 



Farms that are worked intensively on which beef cattle are maintained have in 

 many instances adopted the practice of producing baby beef. Cattle falling within 

 this classification are from one to two years of age, and ordinarily weigh about 

 1,000 Ibs. Only well bred beef cattle capable of producing calves of quality and 

 natural beef tendencies are adapted to the production of this class of cattle. 

 Breeding high grade and cross-bred animals of beef type may be regarded 

 excellent for baby beef production. Beef cows that tend to produce large 

 quantities of milk add much to the initial growth and quality of baby beeves. 



Mumford in writing on the subject, states that profitable baby beef production 

 requires experience, judgment and skill of a high order and that it is a mistake 

 for the inexperienced to dip heavily into this enterprise. 



Successful producers endeavor to keep the calf in the milk fed bloom until 



