MEAT PRODUCTION 387 



made in the value of the animal of dairy conformation is 

 much less as markets have ruled during recent years, not- 

 withstanding that at least as large amounts of food rela- 

 tively will be consumed in making it. It is less necessary 

 therefore because less advantageous, to feed such animals 

 and also aged cows, ewes and sows for long periods, that 

 they may thus be brought to a high finish, than to feed 

 well furnished animals with the same end in view. But 

 a certain amount of feeding with them is necessary, that 

 they may bring a respectable price. 



The season of the year at which the finishing period 

 draws near should also be duly weighed. If the finishing 

 process draws near toward, or at the close of the grazing 

 season, it would be better to close it then than to continue it 

 only for a short period on food so radically different as a 

 change from grass to dry food would involve, or if the finish 

 was nearly completed when grass arrives and to complete 

 it would involve turning the animals out to grass for a short 

 period, it would be better to close it with the end of the 

 dry feeding season (see p. 397). 



It will be apparent from the above, that the duration 

 of feeding periods cannot be definitely stated so many are 

 the conditions that cause them to vary. It may be said, 

 however, that cattle can seldom be finished properly in 

 less than 120 days, sheep in less than 70 days, and swine 

 in less than 40 days, and that high finish seldom calls for 

 more than 180 days of feeding with cattle, 120 days with 

 sheep and 60 days with swine. More commonly feeders 

 err on the side of unduly curtailed feeding, accompanied 

 by lack of finish than on that of feeding unduly prolonged 

 and accompanied by over-finish. The aim should be to 

 bring good animals to high finish, unless there are good 

 reasons for not so doing. It has been estimated by competent 

 authorities, that from 75 to 90 per cent of the cattle mar- 

 keted in the United States are not properly finished. 



Season for marketing. The grower and feeder of 

 live stock should aim as far as it may be practicable to 



