44 



PART IE 

 SHORT VS. LONG FEEDING 



During the past five years this station has conducted a series 1 

 of experiments with the view of obtaining information relating 

 to the various factors involved in short and long feeding periods 

 for fattening cattle. However, the question of the length of time 

 to feed cattle depends on so many variable factors that it is im- 

 possible to draw definite conclusions. In addition to economic 

 conditions bearing upon the problem, there are all the factors 

 affecting beef production such as market demands and prices ; 

 the supply, and the condition, quality, and age of the cattle; the 

 supply, relative and actual cost of grain, roughage, etc. It is obvious 

 that feeding trials involving the question of a long or short feed 

 are of value from an experimental standpoint only when the various 

 influencing factors as they occurred in the trials, are known and 

 understood. Even when the influence of all other factors is under- 

 stood, the effect of market prices which cannot be determined in 

 advance is so great that any definite conclusions in regard to the 

 best system to follow under all conditions is impossible. 



An illustration of the effect of market conditions is shown 

 in the two lots of short-fed cattle of 1909-10. On March 17, 1910,. 

 one lot of short-fed cattle was marketed and returned a profit 

 including pork of more than $28.00 per steer while the cattle used 

 in the second trial beginning March 17 and marketed 120 days later, 

 returned a profit of less than $10.00 per head, notwithstanding the 

 fact that the latter made more rapid and cheaper gains than have 

 ever been made by any other lot of steers fed experimentally at 

 this station. Part of this is due to the condition of the cattle when 

 started on feed in the second trial, but it is due largely to the in- 

 fluence of the market conditions. 



The kind of cattle should determine to a large extent the length 

 of time to feed. In order to secure a reasonably good finish on 

 cattle with a short feed, it is necessary that they not only carry 

 considerable flesh when starting on feed, but also that they be welt 

 matured. The thinner and younger the cattle, other things being 

 equal, the longer is the time required to finish them. Therefore,, 

 young cattle, and cattle with little flesh are, as a general rule, not 

 satisfactory for the purpose of short feeding. The grade, of the 

 steer as a general rule should influence the degree of finish to which 



i Bulletins Nos. 129, 130, 142, 146 



