GROWING BABY BEEF 8l 



Among the most suitable fodders are clovers of fine 

 growth and alfalfa similar in quality. Second growth 

 clover is good, because palatable, and the same is true 

 of rowen. In the absence of the legumes mentioned 

 mixed hay will answer, also native hay, Bermuda hay 

 and even millet hay, but it is important that these shall 

 be cut reasonably early and be well cured. Corn fodder 

 may also be fed with the proper concentrates, but this 

 also, if fed in the unprepared form, should be possessed 

 of more fineness than such fodder usually possesses. 

 Straw of any kind should be barred, being too lacking 

 in nutrition, but, if necessary, may be used when chafifed 

 as a medium with which to mix meal. 



Whether the fodders should be cut or fed as they 

 grew will depend on the facilities for cutting them, and, 

 in some measure, on the availability of labor. When the 

 fodder, or even a part of it, is cut and the meal fed is 

 mixed with it, the greater economy and safety in feed- 

 ing are not to be questioned. But should all the fodder 

 be fed in the cut form, the caution must be observed not 

 to make the proportion of the fodder too large. The 

 reliance is more on concentrates than on fodders, hence 

 the proportions must be so adjusted that the full amount 

 of concentrates fixed upon for the ration shall be con- 

 sumed. Thus fed, more concentrates can be utilized 

 than would be safe if these were fed directly. 



Succulence and its sources. — Baby beef of the highest 

 quality cannot be produced in the absence of a reason- 

 able amount of succulent food. This is necessary, first, 

 to maintain that juiciness of ffesh which is one of the 

 most highly prized characteristics of baby beef, and, 

 second, as an aid to safe digestion. The principal 

 sources of succulence are, of course, soiling food, corn 

 ensilage, and field roots. 



When calves are put upon the market under one 

 year, it is not greatly important that pasture should be 

 provided for them. Those marketed at 15 to 22 months 



