44 BULLETIlSr ICO, U, g^ DEPAETMEISTT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Ordinarily, too little attention is given to the stock for the best 

 results in growth, calf crop, and losses. A few pounds additional 

 weight on the beef animals, an additional calf from each 100 cows, 

 and one or two additional cows saved out of 1,000 head will more 

 than pay for the services of riders. On most cattle ranges these 

 increases are the minimum that can be expected. An increase of 100 

 pounds or more on beef animals, an increase of 5 calves for each 100 

 cows, and a decrease of 10 head in loss out of each 1,000 head, in addi- 

 tion to increase in grazing capacity of the range, are nearer the pos- 

 sible net returns from proper attention by riders. Animals are valu- 

 able, and costs of production are increasing. It will pay to figure 

 carefully on the possible returns from an additional dollar investe^h 



The number of stock one rider can look after varies from ab' 

 250 to 1,000 head, depending upon the range. The ideal. to work 

 toward is about 250 head of high-grade stock accustomed to bei^g 

 worked. One man can then distribute the stock in small bunches 

 where feed is best, see that bull service is adequate, and look after the 

 general welfare of the stock so that losses will be negligible and net 

 returns per animal a maximum. Plate XXIII, figure 2, shows an 

 actual example of such management on Xational Forest j'ange. 



BEEED OF STOCK. 



Wliat has been written in these pages on the management of cattle 

 applies primarily to cattle accustomed to running on the open range 

 or in large pastures. The suggestions given will not result in satis- 

 factory management of dry stock or milch cows from dairy herds 

 accustomed to being handled in barns, feed lots, and small level pas- 

 tures with feed and water convenient; for when such stock are turned 

 loose on a rough mountain range it is difficult to keep them away 

 from the level areas near water. The result is marked local over- 

 grazing and a surplus of feed away on the hills. '\'\'liere it is advis- 

 able, all things considered, to use mountain range for a limited num- 

 ber of this class of stock, extra restrictions in management will be 

 necessary to avoid injury to the range. 



COOPERATION. 



Cooperation between forest officers administering grazing and the 

 stockmen w^hose stock use the ranges has been an important factor 

 in the development of range management on the National Forests. 

 It has not always been possible to meet the desires of every individual 

 permittee ; but with the support of the majority many changes in the 

 management of both the range and the stock have been made, to the 

 ultimate advantage of Forest administration and the live-stock indus- 

 try. As a whole, the cooperation thus far has been concerned pri- 

 marily with underlying principles of regulated use of the range re- 



