FOREST AND RANGE RESOURCES OF UTAH 13 



IMPORTANCE OF GOOD STOCK 



There are four important breeds of beef cattle in Utah. The 

 Hereford, the Shorthorn, the Aberdeen-Angus, and the Galloway, 

 the Shorthorn and Hereford breeds predominating. 



Most of the range cattle of the State are grades, often having a 

 large proportion of dairy-stock blood in them. The common prac- 

 tice is to run purebred bulls of one of the four breeds mentioned 

 above, with grade cows. However, one frequently sees on the ranges, 

 herds of purebred bulls and cows. 



Well-bred cattle mature earlier than inferior grade cattle. They 

 make their growth and are generally ready for market in less time. 

 Well-bred cattle may dress out a higher percentage of carcass to 

 live weight. The meat is of choice quality, and commands a more 

 ready market and often a higher price per pound. Obviously this 

 means more production from forage consumed and more profit for 

 the owners. Land area can not be increased, so as time goes on 

 and population grows the importance of a maximum production per 

 acre of all commodities, including those from livestock, will steadily 

 increase. 



IMPORTANCE OF GOOD HANDLING 



To have beef cattle that are well bred is only half the story. 

 Well-bred cattle poorly handled may be poorer producers than grade 

 cattle well handled. The ideal is good cattle well handled. Cattle 

 that are handled quietly are not so wild and unmanageable as 

 cattle that are frequently excited, and they keep in better flesh. 

 In keeping with the practice of quiet handling, the excessive use of 

 dogs is being avoided, and the dehorning and branding chute is 

 replacing the lariat. 



It has been demonstrated that better results and more profits 

 are secured in the long run when heifers are not bred until they are 

 2 years old. This is a desirable practice to follow when range or 

 pasture conditions make it practicable to separate the heifers from 

 the breeding herd. 



IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD CALF CROP 



A calf crop of from TO to 80 per cent is considered a good average, 

 but in many cases the average is around 60 per cent or lower. There 

 are very few places where a successful cow business can be conducted 

 if only one calf is produced annually for every two or three cows. 



The best cattlemen use only mature bulls and use one bull for every 20 or 

 25 cows, except on rough ranges when the number of cows per bull is still 

 further reduced. Yearlings are unsatisfactory on the range and two-year-olds 

 are not as efficient as three-year-olds. A yearling bull can breed 10 or 15 

 cows, and a two-year-old, 20 to 25 cows on small pastures. 



If one bull is used for every 25 cows, then for every additional dollar that is 

 paid for a breeding cow, $24 more can be paid for a bull because the added 

 good qualities of the better bull will go 25 times as far as every dollar invested 

 in the better cow. 



Many ranchers have increased calf crops on the range by keeping the bulls 

 distributed among the cows. 



* * * * * * * 



The Forest Service has found that in rough areas judicious fencing, 

 coupled with careful range riding during the breeding season, will result in a 

 15 per cent increase in the calf crop. If pasture breeding is resorted to, allot 

 about 100 cows to a pasture with 4 thrifty, well-conditioned bulls (9). 



