CHAPTER VI 



EQUIPMENT 



The equipment required for the raising of beef cattle 

 is simple compared with the equipment required for the 

 handling of many other kinds of live-stock. Perhaps 

 the first and most important is a saddle horse and lariat 

 rope. As the industry becomes more intensified, addi- 

 tional equipment is required. The second step will be 

 a good set of corrals, and these in turn will be supple- 

 mented by branding chutes and scales. Following these 

 will come fixed pastures and possibly feed-lots, with full 

 equipment of feed-racks and watering devices. Then will 

 come hay cutters, and, in some parts of the country, silos. 

 Barns, in most of the West, would probably come last, 

 since almost no cattle are kept under roof. 



BARNS 



With a few exceptions bams in the true sense of the 

 word are unnecessary for commercial beef in the West, 

 although in exposed localities bedded sheds are very use- 

 ful. These are merely long sheds opening away from the 

 wind and large enough to bed down all the cattle. They 

 are very simply constructed and aim only to keep off the 

 wind and storms. Rough boards are generally used for 

 both sides and roof. Plenty of bedding is essential to 

 obtain the real value from a shed. It is almost never 



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