FINISHING CATTLE ON PASTURE l8l 



labor involved and the cost of material have heretofore 

 been greater, it is thought, than the material profit re- 

 sulting therefrom. Systems of spraying of recent in- 

 vention may yet be found profitable. 



4. The aim should be to market grain-fed cattle 

 on pasture when beef from other sources is not plenti- 

 ful. It should reach the market, therefore, as a rule, 

 after the suppl}^ of winter-fed cattle in the stall has been 

 well exhausted, and before the full season of marketing 

 range stocks. When grain is fed, marketing at such a 

 time is entirely practicable. The advantage from such 

 marketing is found in the relatively good prices that rule 

 during the season mentioned. But, in some instances, 

 it may be profitable, as with animals one and two 

 years old, to carry them on for a more perfect finish 

 to meet the demands of the Christmas market. In such 

 instances, the aim should be to make them strictly prime, 

 the finish being completed in the stable or shed. 



Relative profit from finishing on grass. — The im- 

 pression is abroad that finishing cattle on grass will 

 result in the greatest profit. Such was the outcome of 

 an experiment conducted at the Missouri experiment 

 station bearing on this question, and such is the method 

 of finishing practiced by many engaged in fattening 

 cattle. But it will be apparent to any who study the 

 subject that relative profit from stall feeding and finish- 

 ing on grass will be a question of conditions. 



The principal influences that afifect profits are the 

 price of land, its natural adaptation, the cost of labor, 

 the character of the rotation and the markets. As these 

 influences vary much, the variations in results will cor- 

 respondingly vary. 



With variations in the price of land will come varia- 

 tions in the value of pasture. The less value put upon 

 the lands, the less relatively will be the value of the 

 pasture. It is evident, therefore, that those who have 

 low-priced lands and extensi\'e pastures have so far an 



