FEEDING BEEF CATTLE 221 
14, Older steers are still marketed—In some sections 
cheap lands are still common and more pasture is avail- 
able than could be used economically under the tillage 
system utilized. Under such circumstances older steers 
are preferred. They are bought of neighboring farmers 
at all ages and at small cost and turned on pasture, where 
they are forced to shift for themselves. So placed they 
grow slowly, may or may not keep steadily on a gain, 
but in time attain size and foundation for fattening. 
PRIME STEERS THREE YEARS OLD 
On many farms it is more profitable to carry the steers to considerable age in 
order to consume the home-raised roughage crops. This is a bunch of prime 
steers. 
The initial cost is inconsiderable and the outlay for feed is prac- 
tically nothing. During favorable seasons pastures may be good. 
Then rapid increase will follow as a certainty. Steers raised in this 
manner mature slowly, but they do not cost much. Even if they 
are three years old or more, the total cost is at such a low figure 
that some profit is bound to result. The finishing period may be 
short or long. It will depend somewhat on the condition of the 
animals and the state of the market. Given the run of a good 
pasture, and supplied corn and other concentrates for a short period, 
a reasonable finish and often highly satisfactory money results are 
to be expected. Often steers of this nature are carefully and pains- 
takingly fattened, and when sold bring the highest prices that the 
market pays. 
15. Many kinds of food—Various hay crops, corn 
stover, fodder corn, and silage are all valuable at certain 
