222 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



the east also fulfills these two conditions. In addition, if the 

 cattle raised on the farm are to be finished for market, suf- 

 ficient grain must be provided for this purpose. Some farmers 

 raise their cattle on low-priced land and finish them for the 

 market on grain and hay produced on the level and more 

 valuable parts of the farm. 



If feeders are employed in beef production, grain and rough- 

 age both must be supplied, and good farm land is necessary 

 to furnish them. Many farmers of the Corn Belt, who own 

 high-priced land, convert their products into beef by using 

 feeders. 



Raising beef cattle on the farm. Among the points that 

 should receive consideration are the kind to raise, develop- 

 ment of the herd, feed-lots and buildings, feeding and manage- 

 ment, and marketing. 



Kind of cattle to raise. Cattle are of two types, beef and 

 dairy. A third type, known as dual purpose, is sometimes 

 included. The latter is really a beef type, however, which 

 has been developed for milk production. To attain success 

 in raising beef cattle it is important to study types carefully. 



Characteristics of beef cattle. Certain parts of a beef 

 carcass are more valuable for meat than others. The loin, 

 rib, and round cuts constitute about one-half the weight of a 

 carcass and possess more than three-fourths of the market 

 value. Buyers of beef cattle desire animals with these parts 

 highly developed. A study of figures showing wholesale cuts, 

 and positions of these parts on a live animal, should be made 

 in connection with the following table giving the wholesale 

 prices of cuts. It will be seen from such a study that a beef 

 animal should possess a good development of the loin, rib 

 and round and a minimum development of shank and 

 neck. 



