TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES 



OF 



LIVE STOCK 



GENERAL INTRODUCTION 



/ Two distinct systems of farming are practiced in the United States: 

 (1) grain farming and (2) live-stock farming. Grain farming is the 

 growing of crops useful for food or clothing, the income being derived 

 from the sale of these crops. Live-stock farming is that system in 

 which the crops are used chiefly or entirely as feed for the live stock 

 which is produced, the income being derived from the sale of animals, 

 milk, and wool. 



Live stock farming requires greater skilL — Of the two systems, 

 live-stock farming affords much greater opportunity for the develop- 

 ment and application of knowledge and skill. The live-stock farmer 

 must be equally competent as a crop producer with the grain farmer, 

 and in addition must know how to handle and feed live stock econom- 

 ically. He must have a certain practical knowledge of animals and 

 their requirements which comes with experience and which can be 

 readily acquired by one who has a liking for farm animals. 



Ample reward for greater skilL — Dr. C. E. Thome of the Ohio 

 Experiment Station has said, "While it is true that meat is an ex- 

 travagantly wasteful food, viewed solely from the economic standpoint, 

 yet it is also true that the ruling peoples of the earth are the meat 

 eaters, and the time is probably far in the future when in this country 

 meat v/ill be banished from the tables of any but the improvident, 

 even though further advance in its cost should take place. The out- 

 look, therefore, is that for a long time to come the farmer who possesses 

 the ability to handle live stock successfully will find ample opportunity 

 for the exercise of his talents and ample reward for the larger ability 

 which such exercise involves." 



Live stock converts farm wastes into profits.4^The keeping of live 

 stock on the farm provides a means of utilizing as feed or bedding 

 much that would otherwise be wasted. This applies to large amounts 

 of roughage such as straw and com stalks. Meadow aftermath and 



19 



"• f- State 0>"p, 



