FEEDING AND CARE OF BEEF CATTLE 293 



from each 100 lbs. of feed than those which are more mature. As 

 this subject is of much importance in beef production, many trials 

 have been conducted to compare the economy of gains and the profits 

 from fattening calves, yearlings, 2-year-olds, and older cattle. The 

 following table averages the results secured in two trials of this 

 nature at the Indiana Station ^ with well-bred beef steers fed until 

 they were thoroly fattened. 



Fattening calves, yearlings, and 2-year-olds 



Calves Yearlings 2-yr.-olds 



Av. initial weight, lbs 518 888 1,067 



Length of feeding period, months 9 6.5 6 



Av. daily gain, lbs 1.88 2.22 2.6 



Av. total gain, lbs 508 431 471 



Feed per 100 lbs. gain by steers: 



Shelled corn, lbs 596 704 * 681 



Cottonseed meal, lbs 88 111 108 



Clover hay, lbs 168 165 160 



Corn silage, lbs 385 660 573 



Feed cost per 100 lbs. gain * $7.74 $9.09 $9.37 



Pork per bushel of corn fed to steers, lbs.* 1.00 1.85 2.50 



* Av. of 3 trials. 



While it required only 6 months to make the 2-year-old steers 

 fat enough to sell as prime beeves, it took 9 months to finish the 

 rapidly growing calves equally well. Tho the daily gain per head 

 increased with the age of the steers, the older ones required con- 

 siderably more feed per 100 lbs. gain, and thus made more expensive 

 gains. Other trials have shown that the gains of 3-year-olds are 

 still more expensive than those of 2-year-olds. As is usual, the older 

 steers in this trial masticated the shelled corn less thoroly, and hence 

 the pigs following them made more pork from each bushel of corn 

 fed the steers. 



Calves usually cost more per 100 lbs. as feeders than do yearlings 

 or 2-year-olds, but when fat sell at about the same price per 100 

 lbs. as the older animals. This may entirely offset the cheaper gains 

 made by them. For example, in these trials the 2-year-olds returned 

 the largest and the calves the smallest profit per head. In addition, 

 greater care and skill are required to fatten calves, they do not stand 

 severe weather so well, and must be fed a larger proportion of grain 

 to roughage than the more mature . feeders. For these reasons, the 

 great majority of experienced farmers who buy feeder steers to 

 fatten prefer 2-year-olds. On the other hand, many farmers who 

 raise their own steers on high-priced land find it most profitable to 

 produce baby beef, selling the animals when 18 months old or less. 



1 Skinner and Cochel, Ind. Bui. 146. 



