284 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



amount, but when one is simply wintering the steers without 

 any attempt to fatten them, the maximum amount should not 

 exceed six pounds daily, and perhaps better results can be 

 obtained by feeding two to four pounds daily. 



Roughage increases feeding capacity. — It is conceded by ex- 

 perienced cattle feeders that roughing steers preparatory to put- 

 ting them on full feed requires much skill. The feeding of an 

 abundance of roughage encourages the enlargement and develop- 

 ment of the digestive organs, thus increasing the capacity for 

 handling more concentrated feeds later on. This, of course, 

 gives the thin animal a large paunch, which must certainly be 

 reduced before the animal is ready for market. A large- 

 paunched steer is not wanted on any fat-cattle market. From 

 this it would seem that before beginning to feed, or in the early 

 part of the feeding process, the enlarging of the paunch should 

 be encouraged in order to increase the capacity, while the latter 

 part of the feeding period should be devoted to reducing this 

 paunch and smoothing up the steer. 



SUMMER FEEDING ON PASTURE 



Fattening cattle in the summer on pasture is usually more 

 profitable than winter fattening. By such feeding the labor is 

 reduced to a minimum, there is no handling of bulky foods, no 

 bedding to provide, no lots to clean of manure, and no outlay for 

 an extensive plant, such as sheds, lots, and the like. Approxi- 

 mately the only labor in summer fattening is that of feeding the 

 grain, when such is fed. 



There are two methods of fattening beef cattle on pasture : 

 pasturing alone with no grain, which is called "grass fatten- 

 ing"; and feeding grain, often all they will eat, in connection 

 with the pasturage. Which of these methods should be em- 

 ployed will depend on conditions. When land is cheap and 

 there is an abundance of pasture, one may secure fairly good 

 returns from pasturing without grain. On the other hand, if 



