FEEDING BEEF CATTLE 287 



of the land east of the Sciota, south of the Ohio, and west of 

 the Missouri rivers is suitable for permanent pasture. This 

 cheap land, much of it, could be laid to permanent pastures and 

 yield a very creditable return as pasture for beef cattle. In 

 fact, if conditions continue in the future as in the past, much 

 of our beef must come from these cheap outlying lands. The 

 grains grown on the grain farms are rapidly becoming too valu- 

 able as food for human consumption to permit of their being 

 fed to animals. 



No definite suggestions can be given as to the choice between 

 permanent pastures and pastures in rotation further than to say 

 that all depends on the location. If those farms or parts of farms 

 that are unsuited for growing grains can be laid to permanent 

 pasture, it will, on the average, be profitable to do so. Each of 

 these systems has certain advantages. For example, permanent 

 pasture simplifies the fencing, provides the water supply, the 

 shade, and the feed racks or bunks, while pastures in rotation 

 give a much better opportunity to distribute the manure to 

 all parts of the farm. Permanent pastures even if seriously 

 affected by drouth are not likely to be a failure, while pastures 

 in rotation occasionally do fail. Properly managed permanent 

 pastures will increase in value with age. 



The pasture crop is perhaps the most neglected of farm crops 

 at the present time. Many pastures that are now supporting 

 one animal to two or three acres can with proper care be made 

 to support twice the number. First, secure a good stand. Many 

 pastures do not now possess more than one-half a crop. Blue- 

 grass should form the basis of all permanent pastures in the 

 East, but should be reenforced by white clover, orchard-grass, 

 and red-top. The pasture should be harrowed and reseeded 

 each spring until a stand is secured. Second, keep down the 

 weeds. Animals eat the grass and leave the weeds. To ob- 

 viate this, pastures should be mown twice each year. This 

 not only keeps the weeds down, but keeps the pasture in such 



