4OO FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



the small amount of loss that accompanies such distribu- 

 tion. It would also be a mistake to require animals that 

 are being fattened to consume closely shock corn fed on 

 grazing lands in the autumn. The aim should be to have 

 two pastures, and to allow store cattle and swine to glean 

 after the animals that are being fattened. The two classes 

 of animals would thus be alternated from day to day. Like- 

 wise it would be a mistake to compel swine that are be- 

 ing finished on unharvested corn or peas, to glean closely. 

 That should be done by store swine that are admitted 

 later. 



Financial returns from purchased feeders. When 

 animals are purchased for feeding, the financial results 

 from fattening them will be influenced: (i) By the age 

 at the time of purchase; (2) by the weight; (3) by the 

 condition as to the flesh they carry; (4) by the value of 

 the food fed and the duration of the feeding period, and 

 by the difference between the price paid at the time of 

 purchase and received at the time of sale. 



It has been shown (see p. 371), that animals young 

 and immature make greater increase when being fattened 

 than mature animals. But age also influences market val- 

 ues more or less. Of course with all animals, there is an 

 age below which the market demands them only in limited 

 numbers and to meet some special need, as in the case of 

 "milk lambs'' and "baby beef;" but when this age is past, 

 the younger the animals are when put on feed, other things 

 being equal, the larger are the profits likely to be, not only 

 because of the greater and cheaper increase made, but 

 because of the higher relative price which such animals bring 

 when sold. With cattle the highest price and widest sale 

 are made by animals from say 1,200 to 1,400 pounds when 

 finished; with sheep from 90 to 100 pounds; with the lard 

 types of swine, from 200 to 250 pounds, and with the 

 bacon types, from 160 to 200 pounds. In former years 

 animals much heavier were more in favor. 



