455 



A study of Table V shows that the amount of grain re- 

 quired to produce 100 pounds gain increased as the feeding period 

 progressed both in the dry lot and on the pasture. This was also 

 true in winter feeding as shown in bulletins Nos. 115, 129, 130 and 

 136 and justifies the conclusion that the longer the feeding period 

 and the higher the finish secured, the greater will be the cost of 

 gains if no change is made in the rations. In comparing the amount 

 of concentrates consumed in producing gains from the two methods 

 of feeding, it will be observed that the pasture steers had a slight 

 advantage in two and the dry-lot cattle in one out of the three 

 tests. The difference, however, is so small that it may be safely 

 concluded that the amount of concentrates required to produce a 

 pound of gain in finishing yearlings is practically the same, whether 

 they are fed in dry lot or on pasture. 



TABLE VI. Showing Cost of Gains in Finishing Yearlings in 



Summer 



Average $12.43 per cwt. $12.98 per cwt. 



Based upon the following prices: 



Shelled corn @ 50 cents per bushel in 1907 



Shelled corn @ 65 " 1908-9 



Cotton-seed meal. ... @ $28.00 per ton 



Hay @ $10.00 " 



Corn silag-e @ $ 2.50 



Pasture @ 75 cents per head per month 



Table VI shows that the cost of gains both in dry lot and in 

 pasture during the three summers (1907, 1908 and 1909) was very 

 high. This was due to three facts ; the steers had been on full feed 

 for six months before the summer feeding started, they were car- 

 ried to a very high degree of finish and the prevailing market price 

 of feeds was greater than during any other three consecutive years 

 in a long time. The cost of gains as shown in this table was based 

 upon the actual market value of corn and other feeds at the time 

 of feeding. In comparing these figures with those shown in bul- 

 letins No. 129 and No. 136 it will be seen that the gains in finishing 

 were much more expensive than those made during the first six* 

 months of feeding and were even greater than those secured with 

 yearlings and two-year-olds during that time. This shows that the 

 condition of the cattle has a much greater influence than their age 

 over the cost of gains. 



