318 PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



because in the shorter feeding period the feeder will save 

 the feed required to maintain the steer for 78 days, i.e., 936 

 pounds of feed. 



The Kansas Experiment Station ^ found the grain re- 

 quired for 100 pounds of gain in the ease of fattening steers 

 was as follows : 



(Jrain for 100 

 Pounds Gain 



Lb. 



Up to 56 days 730 



Up to 84 days 807 



Up to 112 days 840 



Up to 140 days 901 



Up to 168 days 927 



Up to 182 days 1000 



The length of the fattening period usually will depend to 

 a large extent upon four factors : (1) the feedingstuffs avail- 

 able, (2) the age of the animal, (3) the grade of the animal, 

 and (4) the condition of the animal. 



When it is desired to feed a large proportion of roughage 

 to concentrates, the fattening process is slow and a longer 

 time is required to finish the animal than when a highly 

 concentrated ration is fed. The relative cost of concen- 

 trates and roughage should be considered in this connection. 

 Younger animals usually require a longer time to finish 

 than do more mature ones. Low grade feeders finish more 

 quickly than do those of high grade at the same weight and 

 in the same condition, because they usually are older. They 

 can never reach a high degree of finish, however. Animals 

 in good condition ordinarily require less time to finish than 

 those in poor condition. 



> Bui. 34. 



