25 



steer, the greater is the daily gain while in the feed lot. It is in- 

 teresting to note that in summer the average daily gain on yearlings 

 and on calves is given at the same figure. The report also shows that 

 the daily gain per steer is greater during the summer when full feed- 

 ing than during the winter. This is consistent with the answers to 

 questions 57 and 58 and in a large measure accounts for the difference 

 in the cost of producing the gains on cattle of different ages. 



In answer to question 65 " Does the feeding of grain to stockers 

 in winter diminish gains in summer on pasture ? " 85 per cent report 

 that it does not, while 14 per cent report that it does and about 1 

 per cent are undecided as to this question. When it is stated that 

 the feeding of grain does not diminish summer gains, a great ma- 

 jority qualify this statement by saying " if not fed in excessive 

 quantities ". In other words, the general practice is to feed a small 

 amount of grain in order to keep steers from losing flesh and running 

 down to a condition from which they will not recover quickly when 

 put on pasture in the spring. It seems to be a question of how much 

 grain is fed rather than as to the feeding of grain. None of the 

 feeders prefer to have their steers go on grass in high condition if 

 they expect to graze without feeding grain. 



SMALL GAINS ON STOCKERS IN WINTER. 



The average of all answers to question 64 would indicate that if 

 the steers maintain their weight during the winter period where no 

 grain or other concentrated feed is used, their condition is satisfac- 

 tory. In other words, the practice of roughing stock through the 

 winter is not for the purpose of making any gain on them but for 

 one or both of the following reasons : (1) to utilize and return to 

 the land in the form of manure, the rough feeds such as corn stalkb, 

 straw, damaged hay, which would otherwise go to waste; (2) to have 

 cattle in the spring of the year of suitable quality and condition to 

 make rapid gains on grass. The feeder who has an abundance of 

 rough feed is usually able to buy thin cattle in the fall, carry them 

 through the winter very cheaply, so that the cost of the cattle and 

 the cost of wintering them will amount to less than he would have 

 to pay for the same cattle in the spring. It is further agreed that 

 the steer so handled during the winter goes on grass in a condition 

 to insure a maximum gain during the summer. A careful study of 

 market reports will convince one that stocker and feeder cattle car- 

 rying flesh, are much cheaper during the late fall than during the 

 spring months. 



