256 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



ter grades of cattle for the higher prices; but, if purchased 

 as feeders, their initial cost may be so great as to result in 

 a loss rather than profit. Several American experiment sta- 

 tions have proven this fact in feeding steers of different 

 types. One of these of special interest was conducted by 

 the Iowa station. Four steers of beef type and four of dairy 

 type were fed during the year 1903. Two of the steers 

 were pure-bred Aberdeen-Angus, two grade Herefords, two 

 Jersej^s, and two Holstein-Friesians. When the experiment 

 started the average weight of the beef steers was 685 pounds, 

 while the dairy-type steers averaged 574 pounds. It is 

 interesting to note that the average gain of the beef steers 

 was 606 pounds, while that of the dairy type was 598 pounds 

 per head. The average cost of a pound of gain with the 

 beef type was 7.81 cents, while that of the dairj^ type was 

 but 7.63 cents. The average selling price per pound for the 

 beef tj^pe, however, was 4.89 cents, while the dairy type 

 brought but 3.75 cents per pound. In this Iowa experi- 

 ment, it was demonstrated, 



(1) That the gains made from food consumed, were 

 much alike with each type. 



(2) That the beef type uses his food to the best advan- 

 tage in developing the more valuable cuts. 



(3) That the beef type steer shows the greatest profit to 

 the feeder. 



(4) That the dairy type produces the most offal and the 

 greatest amount of tallow. 



(5) That while there is little difference in per cent of 

 valualjle cuts in the two types of steers, those of the beef 

 type were thicker, better marbled and of superior color. 



The influence of breed in beef production has been to 

 some extent shown in the preceding section in type discus- 

 sion. In this case steers of different breeds were compared, 

 with the results noted. In various feeding experiments in 

 beef production, in which the cjuestion of the comparative 



