CARRYING RANGE STEERS THROUGH THE WINTER 5 



In discussing the table, we will first take up this question: 



// you expect to feed steers out at two years of age, does it pay to 

 winter feed them either as calves or as yearlings? 



The steers fed during the third winter only the winter during 

 which they were fitted for market gained 235 pounds per head and 

 weighed 1146 pounds, while those fed the second and third winters, 

 gained 361 pounds the third winter and weighed 1407 pounds. The 

 latter not only weighed "261 pounds per head more because of their 

 previous feeding, but were in better shape to prt on good gains the 

 winter they were finished out, putting on 126 pounds per head more 

 weight than the steers fed the third winter only. Another point in 

 their favor was that the extra weight was in fat rather than in 

 frame, as they were valued at the close of the third winter, when 

 ready for -market, at $6.20 per cwt, while the steers fed the third 

 winter only, were valued at $5.75 per cwt. These valuations were 

 made by Mr. Henry Gebhardt, of Denver, without knowledge of 

 what lots the steers were from. 



Mr. Gebhardt, at the same time, placed a valuation of $6.10 

 upon the steers brought in to the College in the fall of 1905 and fed 

 all three winters. These steers made -a gain of only 223 pounds per 

 head the third winter, less than either of the other lots ; and they 

 showed an average weight of 1368 pounds per head, or 39 pounds 

 per head less than the steers that were not winter fed as calves, and 

 222 pounds per head more than the steers that were not winter fed 

 either as calves or yearlings. These results plainly show that winter 

 feeding the calves was not profitable when the steers were to be 

 held over to be finished off as two-year-olds, for the lot that were 

 not winter fed as calves, but were fed the two succeeding winters, not 

 only made the largest gain during the last winter, but showed the 

 heaviest average weight, and were in best market condition. 



We can state then, so far as the gains made by these steers 

 are concerned, that when the aim in view was to finish the steers 

 as two-year-olds, the feed put into them as calves was wasted, but 

 feeding them the winter they were yearlings put them in shape to 

 make better gains the next winter and made better market steers of 

 them. This result does not coincide with the view of those cattle- 

 men, who believe that if only one winter's feed is to be given previous 

 to the winter of finishing, that feed should be given the calves in 

 order to retain upon them their baby flesh. But a study of the weights 

 and gains of the steers brought in as calves will bring out the reason, 

 I believe, for the poor showing made by these steers the third winter. 



