BEEF CATTLE IN NORTH CAROLINA. 19 



In the experimental work the steers gained an average of 17 

 pounds per head the first winter, 17 pounds the second, and 26 

 pounds the third, the average gain being 19 pounds per head for the 

 three years. On the other hand, the dry-fed cattle, wintered in the 

 barns, lost an average of 32.5 pounds per head and the silage- 

 wintered cattle lost an average of 46 pounds during the three years. 



These steers required an average of about 2 acres per head for 

 grazing in winter, but in summer stock cattle of similar kind require 

 about 3 acres per head to make proper gains. 



The cost per steer to carry the cattle through the first winter was 

 $4.66, the second winter $6.29, and the third winter $5.23, making 

 for the three years an average of $5.39 per head, or approximately 

 half what it cost to dry- feed cattle in the barns. Besides, the last- 

 named steers lost weight. 



This work shows that dry-wintered cattle must sell for an average 

 of $1.55 more per hundredweight in the spring than in the previous 

 fall to compensate for the loss in weight and the cost to carry them 

 through the winter. Instead of buying dry-wintered cattle in the 

 spring, it would be much better for stockmen to purchase the steers 

 in the fall if they can furnish winter pasture to carry them through 

 to summer grass. This would mean not only cheaper but also better 

 finished cattle the following fall. 



As this work was done under average conditions and covered a 

 period of three years, giving similar results each year, any farmer or 

 stock raiser can expect to get the same results if proper pasture plans 

 are made. This work is entirely practical for any stockman having 

 rough land for pasture purposes. 



These cattle were fed only during snows or stormy weather. The 

 first winter they were fed thus 15 days, the second year 28 days, 

 and the third year 14 days, making for the three years an average of 

 a little less than three weeks. 



Winter grazing having been found to be the best and most eco- 

 nomical method of wintering stock cattle. On the farm where this 

 work was done sufficient winter pasture eventually will be arranged 

 to handle all the stock cattle in this way during the winter. 



III. SUMMER FATTENING OF STEERS. 



OBJECT OF WORK. 



Most of the cattle in this section of North Carolina are finished on 

 grass and sold as feeders when 2 years old. It was thought that the 

 extra finish acquired by feeding cottonseed cake with the grass would 

 make the cattle more readily marketable on butcher markets, making 

 greater discrimination in the quality and finish of cattle than ordi- 

 narily is made by buyers. By making a comparison of the two 



