6 



BULLETIN 397, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



keep them two seasons. The financial success of grazing steers de- 

 pends on (1) the purchase and seUing prices, (2) the cost of wintering, 

 and (3) the gains in weight. The yearly gain per steer on good grass 

 is approximately 350 to 400 pounds. This at present prices repre- 

 sents but $28 to $32 for the year's keep if the buying and selling 

 prices are the same. With the buying price 1 cent a pound below 

 the selling price, $7 to $11 may be added to the above amounts, 

 depending on whether the steers are yearlings or 2-year-olds. It is 

 difficult to figure any profits in the business unless there is at least 

 1 cent a pound margin in favor of the selling over the cost price 

 to offset the expense of wintering. Even with that margin, the 

 strictest economy must be observed in wintering or there will be noth- 

 ing left to the credit of the pastures. During recent years there has 



Fig. 5. — Two-year-old steers which were wintered on straw, a little com fodder, and hay. 



been little difference between the price for stockers and that for fat 

 cattle. There have also been fewer live cattle exported, so there has 

 not been the advanced price for extra large cattle that formerly 

 prevailed. 



The methods of feeding the steers during the winter vary consid- 

 erably in different localities of the bluegrass region. Nearly all of the 

 graziers let the stock run on the pastures during the winter. Feeding 

 begins in December or January, depending on the season, and con- 

 tinues until the middle of April or the first of May. Forage grown on 

 the farm usually forms the entire ration. In some localities corn 

 fodder, consisting of the unshucked crop, is fed, along with some 

 straw and a little hay. (Figs. 5 and 6.) In other places the farmers 

 shuck the corn and feed the stover, with straw or hay. Usually a 

 little grain is added to the latter ration if the steers become too thin. 



