Care and Management of Beef Cattle 191 
EQUIPMENT FOR WINTER FEEDING 
The equipment for feeding cattle in the winter deserves special 
attention ; not that it is difficult or expensive but that the proper 
kind of equipment is often neglected and much money expended 
for items that are not only unnecessary but positively objection- 
able. The most particular item is that of efficient shelter. Other 
items are the feed-lot and its location, the racks from which to 
feed dry forage, and the like. 
314. Shelter for winter feeding. — While it is essential to pro- 
vide warm winter quarters for the dairy cow, because she is thin 
in flesh and because of the nature of her product, such warm 
quarters are not necessary for the fattening steer. The fatten- 
ing steer possesses a coat of fat or flesh which serves to protect 
him from the cold, and when on full feed the heat generated 
in the body by masticating, digesting, and assimilating the food 
is sufficient to maintain the body temperature. No doubt the 
needs of the fattening animal are such as to make a reasonable 
amount of cold air beneficial rather than detrimental. But it is 
very desirable that the fattening steer be kept dry and provided 
with a comfortable dry bed. Dry quarters are far more important 
than warm quarters. A structure which protects the animals 
from the rain and snow and provides them with a dry comfortable 
bed is sufficient. 
315. The feed-lot. — Relatively too little attention is given the 
feed-lot. In choosing the location of the lot, consideration should 
be given to drainage and the natural protection. A south slope 
is the most desirable, as the water will drain off quickly after a rain, 
and the full benefit of the sun’s rays will be received. A muddy 
lot is one of the greatest objections to winter feeding. Over much 
of the grain belt the soil is rather impervious to water, which is 
held at the surface. The cattle in walking mix the water with the 
soil, which is often clay, thus making a most disagreeable mud. 
The only known corrective for such lots is to pave them, at 
