88 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



thU? depression. The individual who seeks extreme increase 

 in one direction cannot afford to ignore the ever-present 

 influence of this law or his efforts will ultimately end in 

 failure. 



The most profitable animal is the one that produces 

 best for the longest period in proportion to the food fed, 

 and that has the power of transmitting like production to 

 the progeny. Such a combination of qualities is never found 

 in the animal that has not been developed in equilibrium. 

 Grow a meat-making animal for showing at an early age 

 and its breeding powers are lowered. Require excessive 

 service in a young male and his possible development is 

 lowered. Feed a meat-making animal a low diet in early life 

 and its meat-making powers are lowered. 



Equilibrium in development has a far higher signifi- 

 cance in relation to animals grown for breeding and pro- 

 duction that will cover a term of years, than when grown 

 simply for the block. With the latter, the feeding term 

 is short, with the former it covers years. No great loss 

 may occur from over-developing a calf at the age of one 

 year, but it would be entirely different if a breeding ani- 

 mal were so over-developed at that age, that its prospective 

 usefulness was permanently lowered. 



Equilibrium in development is the highest attainment 

 of the breeder's art. The man in whose herd are a score 

 of really good animals and no culls, stands on a higher 

 plane. than the man who has some prize winners and a 

 number of only ordinary animals in the same. The man 

 whose animals are all good performers has accomplished 

 more than the man who has some great performers and 

 some inferior, notwithstanding that the latter may shine 

 before the public while the former may be unknown to the 

 same. 



