Fattening Steers 83 
sixmonths. The average feeding period here will be from 
three to five months. After this time the gains are slower 
and consequently more expensive. A very high finish is 
difficult to obtain on hay alone and when obtained does 
not usually bring enough money to pay for the cost. It 
is the consensus of opinion among practical feeders that 
it does not pay to feed hay longer thar four or five months, 
unless unusual conditions prevail. Four months is the 
most convenient time to feed on most ranches. The 
feeding cannot well commence before time to bring the 
cattle in from the ranges and, on the other hand, they 
should be out of the way in time to prepare for the spring 
work; and four months will usually about fit these ex- 
tremes. The market and the amount of hay on hand in- 
fluence the exact time of selling. Jf one starts with the 
intention of feeding three months he may see that there 
is a chance for a better price earlier, or perhaps he may 
not want to sell until after his hay is all gone, so as to 
avoid carrying feed over until the next season. 
MARKETING 
A fat steer full of feed and water will ordinarily weigh 
about 4 per cent more than if he has been without feed and 
water for twelve hours. On account of this variation in 
weight, allowance is often made in selling for this fill. 
This allowance is usually spoken of as “shrinking.” 
When steers are sold locally, they are usually shrunk 
by standing twelve hours without feed and water or by 
weighing full and deducting 4 per cent. There is not 
much difference between the two ways of shrinking. 
When shipped to the large markets, cattle are not shrunk, 
and in fact obtain all the feed and water they want before 
