525 



In order, therefore, to obtain the greatest possible profit from 

 animals wanted for beef, it is necessary to "keep them moving." 

 If for any length of time they stop growing heavier, no return is 

 then being given for the money spent on their sustenance. In 

 other words, a beast that is wintered in a strawyard on an al- 

 lowance of food which merely keeps it alive is doing nothing to 

 help pay for all the money and trouble that is being expended 

 upon it. 



Yield of Meat in Animals of Different Ages. In the case of 

 beef-making, young animals give, considering the food they con- 

 sume, a greater proportionate increase than do older ones; or, in 

 other words, the greater the age of the animal, the greater is the 

 proportion of the food required for sustenance, and the smaller 

 the increase obtained. This is shown by the following figures,, 

 which are taken from the published accounts of the Smithfield 

 Carcass Competition, and represent results obtained from five breeds, 

 namely, Shorthorns, Herefords, Aberdeen Angus, Sussex, and De- 

 vons. The weighings were obtained in eight years from: 



77 yearlings slaughtered at about 22 months old 

 89 two-year olds 33 > w 



54 three-year olds 44 



As regards yearly increase, we find the yearlings (live-weight 

 1344 Ib.) gave an average of 63 stones (of 14 Ib.) and 5 Ib. of 

 beef each, or at the rate of 34 V 8 stones per 12 months of life. 

 The two-year-olds (live-weight 1750 Ib.) yielded 84 stones 7 Ib. of 

 beef, which gives a rate of 30 8 / 4 stones per 12 months, while the 

 three-year-olds (live-weight 2112 Ib.) gave 96 stones, or at the rate 

 of only 26 ! / 5 stones per 12 months. 



The financial advantage of selling early may be seen from the 

 following table, in which the prices realised per month of life for 

 the youngest and oldest animals sold at Mr. R. Bond's Auction 

 Sales at the Ipswich Fat Cattle Shows are given for three years 

 and four years respectively: 



