FINISHING CATTLE ON PASTURE I73 



secure gains while it is being made equal to those that 

 precede and follow it. 



To prevent loss of weight at such a time the follow- 

 mg measures may be adopted : First, the grain that was 

 being fed previously to turning out the cattle should be 

 continued for a time without diminution. If reduction 

 is made in the grain, let it begin after the change is 

 made. Second, fodder should be as usual morning and 

 evening. It is important that the fodder fed at such a 

 time shall be highly palatable to induce the cattle to eat 

 it. No fodder is better suited to such feeding than good 

 clover hay or alfalfa. Third, if succulent food is being 

 fed, as field roots or ensilage, the amount fed should be 

 at once reduced or withheld entirely, as it is not needed 

 when cattle have access to young grass. Fourth, the 

 aim should be to turn out on pasture which furnishes 

 grass of both the old and new growths. (See page 

 171.) Fifth, the grazing should not begin until the 

 grass is abundant, as it is then less succulent than at 

 an earlier stage of its growth. Sixth, the change should 

 be made graduall}^ The cattle should be turned out 

 after the morning meal has been eaten, and should not 

 be left out for a longer period the first day than, say, 

 an hour, lengthening the period about that much each 

 succeeding day. Of course, the time called for in mak- 

 ing the change is modified by conditions. 



Avoid short periods of grazing. — In some instances, 

 cattle that have been on full feed in the stall, yard, or 

 paddock are suddenly turned out to graze on pastures 

 but for a few weeks previous to sending them to the 

 market. This line of action may arise from a shortage 

 in the food supplies, from a desire to secure a higher 

 price than is then being paid, or from a lack of knowl- 

 edge as to the lack of increase which such a course may 

 lead to. It may not be known that while, after the change 

 has been made properly complete, cattle will gain as 



