54 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



close attention as no one thing pays better in the feed lot than regularity 

 in feeding and caring for the steers. 



The length of the feeding period under Southern conditions should 

 range from one hundred to one hundred and twenty days, the period 

 being necessarily limited in length because of the effect of cottonseed 

 meal after a certain rather definite time. The writer believes that the 

 shorter feeding period with the maximum safe ration of meal is better 

 than the prolonged period with the smaller ration, a plan followed by 

 some feeders. 



FIG. 2. A movable scale rack for weighing beef cattle. When supplied with rollers and a 

 track, it can be removed from the scales for weighing roughage. 



The latter practice rarely pays except for young stock which it is 

 intended to force later. Beef cattle intended for the market when 

 finished , should be forced to maturity as rapidly as conditions will per- 

 mit. In all cases mature judgment should be used in keeping the steers 

 from going off feed. It is far better to hold them in check somewhat 

 than to allow this condition to arise. 



If the concentrated part of the ration consists of cottonseed meal 

 entirely steers will rarely make satisfactory gains or increase much in 

 value after one hundred and twenty days. It may be possible to feed 

 somewhat beyond this period but unless there is a corresponding gain 

 and increase in the value of the cattle such a practice will rarely pay 

 for the extra feed given. ( ir 



Feeding Equipment. 



The most economical method of feeding beef cattle in this State is 

 to confine them either in small lots where shelter is easily accessible, 

 or under large roomy well ventilated barns or sheds. By following this 

 latter plan the manure will all be conserved, which is an important fac- 

 tor. The former method, while less expensive, has the disadvantage of 



