94 BEEF PRODUCTION 



grain once a day in summer. Feeding once a day in 

 summer is practiced largely as a matter of convenience 

 and not because it is believed to be better for the cattle. 

 For the most part the same reasons that make it desir- 

 able to feed grain twice a day in winter apply in summer 

 with equal force. 



NUMBER OF CATTLE TOGETHER 



As to the number of cattle that should be run together 

 in the same feed lot, it may be said that the common 

 practice is to run them in droves of approximately 100, 

 where large numbers are fed. There is no doubt, how- 

 ever, that except for convenience in caring for the cattle, 

 smaller droves would be advisable. If the rule were 

 made not to feed over fifty in a lot, it would be a good 

 one, and then see that each lot of fifty is carefully as- 

 sorted as to age, grade, and weight. 



SALTING OF FATTENING CATTLE 



There are those who claim that the salting of cattle 

 is not only unnecessary, but positively detrimental to 

 fattening cattle. Such claims are based upon evidence 

 that is scarcely conclusive enough to warrant the aban- 

 donment of the use of salt in cattle feeding until the 

 matter has received most careful confirmation by experi- 

 mental demonstration. The writer believes, with the 

 majority of cattle feeders, that salt is desirable and a 

 helpful aid to appetite and digestion. It may be fed in 

 small quantities at regular intervals, or provided in boxes 

 to which the cattle have access at all times. We prefer 

 the latter method, as it at once disposes of the question 

 of the proper amount to feed. If the cattle can help 

 themselves at will, and are never permitted to be with- 

 out it, they will seldom take too much. We have used 

 rock salt with satisfactory results, both for winter and 

 summer feeding, but prefer the loose salt, especially for 

 winter use, and advise placing the salt boxes under cover 

 where at all possible. 



