CHAPTER XXII 



FEEDING BEEF CATTLE 



In the feeding of beef cattle we have two distinct groups 

 of animals, one used in the breeding herd, and the other to 

 be fattened for the butcher. While the final end of all meat- 

 producing animals is killing for human consumption, those 

 used for breeding purposes should be of fai' greater value 

 than for meat alone. Some breeding cattle have proven 

 themselves of so great value, that it would be impossible to 

 estimate their real worth to the breeds and herds they rep- 

 resent. One could have put a butcher's value on the great 

 Shorthorn bull Avondale or the Hereford bull Perfection 

 Fairfax, iDut their real value lies in what they have done 

 in the improvement of Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. 



The feeding standards for beef cattle will apply satis- 

 factorily to either breeding or fattening cattle. The follow- 

 ing table gives the essential requirements, as Ijased on the 



modified Wolff-Lelnnann standard.* 



A s based on actual live weight 



Live weight. Digestible Tutal 



Gro'jAng, fattening steers Dry matter crude digestible Nutritive 



protein nutrients ratio 



l.'jO pounds ,3.11 lbs. 0.49 lbs. 2..58 lbs. 1:4.2 



2.'-)0 " G.40 " 0.74 " 4.42 " 1:4.9 



400 " 9.72 " 0.87 " 0.32 " 1:6.2 



500 " n.m " 1.04 " 7.88 " 1:6..5 



700 " 1.5.83 " 1.41 " lO.a.'J " 1:6.4 



900 " 18.17 " 1.78 " 12.22 " 1:5.8 



1000 " 19.66 " 1.80 " 13.51 " 1:6.5 

 Per day per 1,000 lbs. live weight. 



Digestible Total 



Fattening 2-yr. old steers, Dry matter crude digestible Nutritive 



ftdl feed. protein nutrients ratio 



First 50-60 days 22-25 lbs. 2.0-2.3 lbs. 18.0-20.0 1:7.0-7.8 



Second .50-60 " 21-24" 1.9-2.3" 17.0-19.5 1:7.0-7.8 



Third 50-60 " 18-22" 1.8-2.1" 16.0-18.5 1:7.0-7.8 



Ox at rest in stall 1,3-21" 0.6-O.S " 8.4-10.4 1:10.0-16.0 



Wintering cow in calf... 14-25 " 0.7-0.9" 9.0-12.0 1:10,0-15.0 



*Quattd from Feeds and Feeding, Henry and Mofriaoo, 1917. 



