COST OF THE YEAKLING. 



COST OF CALF AT ONE YEAE. 



As the author's object is to induce farmers to raise better 

 animals, and thus, not only add to their profits, but equally 

 to their pleasure and satisfaction, we will estimate the cost 

 of growing a good calf for the first twelve months. In the 

 Western States the 240 pounds of oats required for the first 

 six months would cost about one cent per pound, and, if 

 bran were used, about half that ; the 182 pounds of oil- 

 meal, about one and one-half cents, or $2.73 whole cost 

 of grain, $5.13. The 2,700 pounds of skim-milk may be 

 called worth one-fourth cent per pound, or $6. 75 ; and if 

 we call the hay or grass for the second three months worth 

 one dollar, we have $12.88 as the entire cost, allowing a 

 fair price for everything eaten by the calf ; and, with the 

 ration in the case we have described, the calf should have 

 a live weight of 500 to 600 pounds at six months. This 

 calf would be worth twenty- five dollars certainly a fair 

 margin of profit. But let us continue the estimate to the 

 end of the year. The second six months the calf will 

 require ten pounds of hay per day 1,820 pounds, costing, 

 at forty cents per 100 pounds, $7.28 ; three pounds of oats 

 and corn, ground together, and two pounds of bran, per 

 day, 910 pounds, at three-fourths of a cent (the price in 

 ordinary times), $6.83 amounting, for second six months, 

 to $14.11, and for the year to $26.99. This calf, at a year, 

 will weigh 800 to 1,000 pounds, and be worth forty to sixty 

 dollars, depending on price of beef. We have estimated an 

 average top price of cost for the food of such a calf in the 

 West, and from ten to twenty per cent, must be added to 

 represent the cost in the East. Deduct one-third of this 

 food, and you have the cost of a common animal not worth 

 the cost of its keep. 



Here, as everywhere in feeding animals, is illustrated the 

 fact, that from the extra food comes all the profit. 

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