110 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



325 pounds at 10c $32.50 



1,000 pounds at 2c 20.00 



Net income $52.50 



The margin in cattle feeding. — The difference between the cost 

 price and selling price per pound is spoken of as the "margin." The 

 steer feeder counts on a margin of at least 2 cents per pound, and when 

 cattle and feed-stuffs are very high in price a greater margin is nec- 

 essary. As shown by the above calculation, heavy cattle may be 

 handled on narrower margins than light ones, for if the initial weight 

 of the steer had been 600 pounds instead of 1,000 pounds, other factors 

 remaining the same, then the net income would have been less by $8. 

 As a matter of fact, however, the younger steer would probably make 

 his 325 pounds of gain somewhat cheaper than the older steer, thus 

 compensating, in part at least, the advantage of the older animal. 



Selection of Feeder Steers ^ 



Success in fattening cattle requires a thorough knowledge of two 

 classes of cattle — fat steers of the better grades, and stockers and 

 feeders, — the beginning and the end of the feeding process. The 

 cattle feeder must be an expert judge of a thin animal, as well as a 

 good judge of the finished product. "Well bought is half sold." 

 Failure to select the right kind of steers for feeding is alone sufficient 

 to cause failure in the business. The cattle feeder must have a good 

 knowledge of the values of the various grades of feeders, and must use 

 judgment as to whether or not to buy, and if he buys it is again a matter 

 of judgment as to which grade of feeders may be purchased, fed, and 

 sold with the greatest profit. The actual buying, however, is usually 

 put in the hands of a commission firm; such firms also freely and 

 intelligently advise the purchaser concerning the matters here dis- 

 cussed. 



The points which determine the value of feeder steers are age and 

 weight, form, quality, constitution and thrift, natural fleshing, condi- 

 tion, breeding, disposition, style, and uniformity. Each of these is 

 briefly discussed. 



1. Age and weight. — Calves and yearlings require a longer feeding 

 period, as a rule, than two- or three-year-old steers. This is due tc> 

 the fact that young animals grow while they fatten, and hence "utten 

 more slowly than older animals. Most cattle feeders prefer two- and 

 three-year-old steers for feeding purposes, and this is especially true 

 where a "short feed" of from 60 to 90 days is given. For the "long 

 feed" of 120 to 180 days or more, calves and yearlings may be satisfac- 

 tory if carefully selected and properly handled. Some feeders prefer 

 the older steers even for the longer feed. The common practice is to 



