FEEDING BEEF CATTLE 259 
year-old steer will require approximately one-third more feed for 
a given gain in weight than will the yearling, and the three-year-old 
one-third more than the two-year-old.* While fattening young ani- 
mals bring quicker and larger returns than older stock, under 
(therwise similar conditions, there are special difficulties connected 
with the fattening of young stock. It requires more skill and care 
on the part of the feeder to obtain satisfactory rapid gains with 
young stock. They require heavier grain feeding than older ani- 
mals, and the chances for accidents are greater than with these. 
Results at Smithfield Show.—The relation between the age of 
fattening steers, the average daily gain, and the percentage dressed 
weight is shown in the following table for one-, two-, and three- 
year-olds of seven different beef breeds slaughtered at the Smith- 
field, England, Fat Stock Show in 1888-1895: ® 
Average Data for Steers Slaughtered at the Smithfield Fat Stock Show, 1888-1896 
Number | Daily myeraee Per cent 
of ain P dressed 
animals Gouna oe - weight 
One-year-olds.... 77 2.01 1329 65.5 
Two-year-olds....| 108 1.74. | 1744 67.1 
Three-year-olds.. . 64 1.56 2055 67.9 
The average daily rate of gain was higher with the yearlings 
than with the two-year-olds in case of all the breeds, and the daily 
gain made by the two-year-olds higher than that of the three-year- 
olds. The percentage dressed weight, on the other hand, was 
lowest for the yearlings, the two-year-olds being next, and the 
three-year-olds highest. . We note that the yearlings gained 2.01 
pounds, on the average, for each day of the fattening period; the 
two-year-olds, 1.74 pounds, and the three-year-olds, 1.56, and that 
the percentage dressed weights of the three classes of steers were 
65.5, 67.1, and 67.9 per cent, for yearlings, two-, and three-year-olds, 
respectively. 
Results at American Fat Stock Show.—The records of the 
American Fat Stock Show (precursor of the “ International ”’) for 
animals exhibited in the various classes have been compiled by 
Stewart for the years 1878-1885.° Summary figures are given in 
4 Cyclopedia American Agriculture, vol. iii, p. 318; these figures doubt- 
less refer especially to the corn belt. 
5 Reported annually in the Live Stock Journal and Agricultural Gazette, 
London; from a compilation by Henry. 
°“ Weeding Animals,” 3rd ed., p. 530. 
