Care and Management of Beef Cattle 189 
They should be reserved for breeding purposes. Many cattle 
breeders are actually reducing the quality of their beef-producing 
herd by fattening the best calves and reserving the poorer ones 
for breeding because they will not make good feeders. 
307. Farms for fattening cattle. — While cattle feeding may 
be conducted on any farm, there are two general types of farms 
on which it is likely to prove more profitable. First, grain farms 
that grow large quantities of dry forage incidental to the grain, 
which would be otherwise wasted; second, pasture farms, where 
for some reason grain cannot be successfully grown and where the 
land is suitable for pasture. 
EQUIPMENT FOR SUMMER FEEDING 
In considering the profits likely to result from steer feeding, 
among the first items to be taken into account is the equipment. 
While the equipment for beef-production is not nearly as extensive 
as for milk-production, there are, nevertheless, a few necessities 
to be provided. Since the equipment for summer feeding on 
pasture differs from’that of winter feeding in the dry-lot, each will 
be considered separately. 
308. Pasture. — The importance of properly managed pastures 
cannot be overestimated. The general management, such as 
the importance of a good stand of grass; of keeping down the 
weeds; of providing suitable drainage; of top dressing with 
barnyard manure when convenient ; and of not turning to pasture 
too early in the spring, is very important. 
309. Feed-bunk. — While any kind of durable box or trough, 
slightly elevated, may be used in feeding grain, a feed-bunk will 
prove the most efficient. These feed-bunks are three feet wide, 
fifteen feet long, inside dimension, and two and one-half feet high. 
One bunk of the dimensions given will be sufficient to accom- 
modate fifteen to twenty cattle, depending on their size. Any kind 
of lumber may be used, but oak is most durable and will make 
