36 BEEF PRODUCTION 



return of $3 12 per steer on the same basis as above. 

 On the whole, then, it appears that the practice of con- 

 sidering the items of labor and pork about equal is 

 generally not far wrong. It is also quite a general saying 

 that the manure produced offsets the labor. We have 

 shown in a previous chapter that from $9 to $18 per 

 steer has been realized from the manure produced where 

 the increase in crop yield is taken into account. The 

 figures here presented indicate clearly that no general 

 rule should be blindly followed. Such calculations as 

 those above outlined are easily made for each proposition 

 as it arises, so that guesswork may be almost eliminated 

 and a very close approximation reached of what may 

 reasonably be expected. 



It is always a problem to what extent to move the 

 cattle about in order to save moving feed, and, on the 

 other hand, how far one may go profitably in moving 

 feed to avoid moving the cattle. The best results, 

 measured by gains and finish, require that the cattle 

 be kept in their accustomed place and given every care 

 regardless of labor. Moving cattle to a strange place 

 is a certain handicap to them. The greatest economy 

 of labor, on the other hand, is secured by taking the 

 cattle to the feed rather than by carrying the feed to the 

 cattle. Just where the line is to be drawn between these 

 conflicting factors cannot be determined except in each 

 case separately. Just here lies the great advantage of 

 fattening on grass, especially where the self-feeder is 

 used. 



