238 CARE OF BEEF CATTLE 



The advantages of " baby beef " production are : 



1. The cattle are not kept so long on the farm. This 

 makes it possible to maintain a large breeding herd to 

 produce more calves. 



2. Capital is turned over faster. 



3. The percentage of weight given by the dam is 

 greater. 



4. The market favors the Kghter animal that will pro- 

 duce smaller cuts of meat. 



5. The young animal gains more economically than the 

 older one. 



The disadvantages of the method are : 



1. Young animals require greater care and more skill in 

 feeding. 



2. The animals must be weU finished when sent to the 

 market, or they will be turned back again to the country 

 as " feeders," for which a lower price is paid. 



3. The animals must be very uniform in conformation 

 and quality to command a good price. 



4. To fatten them requires a long feeding period, be- 

 cause young animals have a tendency to grow instead of 

 fatten. 



In the summer time it is poor practice to allow the 

 calves to eat too heavily of grass, because grass has a 

 tendency to produce scours. The grain ration may con- 

 sist of corn. With this some bran should be fed, and 

 toward the end of the feeding period some cottonseed 

 meal added. If possible either alfalfa or clover hay should 

 be given for roughage. Timothy hay is undesirable, 

 although, if nothing better can be furnished, mixed hay 

 will prove quite satisfactory. Corn silage helps to cheapen 

 the gains and keeps the animals in good condition. 



