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HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN CATTLE. 



had owned them, commencing at the time of purchase, and in every particular 

 each animal had the same opportunity to grow and fatten. These cattle, strange 

 to say, were made up of Grade Shorthorns, Herefords, Polled Angus and Hoi- 

 steins, about equally divided as to breeds. In answer to my questions as to the 

 beef and feeding qualities of the Holsteins compared with the beef breeds, he 

 stated that the Holsteins in this lot of cattle had gained in weight from 125 to 

 375 Ibs. more than any of the others. That one Holstein steer had gained 375 

 Ibs. more than any other steer in the lot, and the lightest gain of the Holsteins 

 was 125 Ibs. more than the gain of any of the regular beef breeds. I examined 

 these cattle closely and there was no material difference between them as to 

 form ; they all showed thick fat and were smooth and straight. I have been 

 told by other feeders that the Holsteins would gain more pounds in a given time 

 than any other breed. Holsteins I admit are not so smooth and symmetrical in 

 form as the purely bred beef breeds, but they compare quite well with the gen- 

 eral average of beef cattle that are sent to market. It is all "bosh," this thing 

 of Holstein beef not being as good in quality as the other breeds. I have seen 



JOHANNA 5TH, No. 9343 H. F. H. B. ,... 

 Winner Wisconsin Butter Test of 1894. 



them on the block and have it on my own table and can certify as to the good 

 quality of a well fatted Holstein. I want no better. One word to the farmer 

 and I am done. If you have a number of native cows, buy a first-class Holstein 

 bull (dairy form). The progeny of the cross will be a smooth lot of steer calves 

 that will sell to a feeder for as high a price as ordinary steer calves, provided 

 you stand him off when he objects to color, etc. The heifer calves can be bred 

 when 17 or 18 months old and sold to the dairymen when fresh for more money 

 than same age steers of any breed, thereby giving you a market for your heifer 

 increase. The native heifer, a grade of any of the beef breeds, goes begging for 

 a buyer at two years old at $12.50 to $18.00, whereas a grade Holstein of same 

 age will sell to the dairymen at $30 to $50. I have done this very trick and 

 know what I say to be correct. 



Mr. W. K. Sexton in an address before the Michigan Holstein Breeders 

 meeting in 1891, said: "The butcher's block is the end of all cattle. While 

 we call the Holstein cattle a dairy breed, we will say they are a large breed, 

 and at the same time are rapid growers of a fine quality of very sweet beef, 

 profitable for the consumer." 



