WILL MORE FORAGE PAY? 67 



days while they are grain-fed on pasture (20. p. 9). Because of the 

 higher finish resulting from the longer feeding period it is estimated, 

 using the high price level, that the cattle grain-fed on pasture will 

 bring $1.93 more per 100 pounds than will the calve- fed only in dry 

 lot : using the medium prices, the difference would be $1.46. Net cash 

 income under the high price level would increase approximately 9 per- 

 cent from the present plan as compared to an increase under the 

 medium level of around 15 percent. 



In this example cattle numbers are not increased, hence there would 

 be no decrease in livestock sales due to the necessity for holding back 

 additional heifers. However, in appraising this example of increasing 

 legumes in the light of their own farming operations, farmers on simi- 

 lar soils should consider the problems involved in planning and estab- 

 lishing the rotations mentioned in the preceding cases. 



Grain-feeding of cattle on pasture, like that described in the alter- 

 native plan, is becoming an increasingly popular practice in this por- 

 tion of the Corn Belt. Cattle fattened on grass require little hay: 

 hence the arduous labor of hauling hay is reduced to a minimum, as is 

 manure spreading. Likewise, less labor is required for putting up 

 hay. Cattle fed on clean grass sod can be maintained in better condition 

 than those fed in dry lots, which become muddy and heavy in wet 

 periods during the late fall, winter, and spring months. Stockmen 

 find caring for stock on grass sod easier and more pleasant than wad- 

 ing through heavy sloppy feed yards. However, in feeding cattle on 

 rotation pastures provision must be made for water. The cost of dig- 

 ging wells or piping water may be prohibitive in some cases. 



Thus far four farms representing different situations in the Great 

 Plains, two in the subhumid and two in the more humid areas, have 

 been analyzed to determine a few of the possibilities of expanding 

 production of forage. In general, it would appear that forage produc- 

 tion could be increased in these areas without undue sacrifice in farm 

 income, and that in some cases substantial additions to income could 

 be obtained. In most cases, however, there will be temporary losses of 

 income during the earlier years of the adjustment period. Additional 

 heifers must be held back : grass seed must be bought : additional 

 fences, and in some cases buildings for livestock must be built, or 

 existing buildings enlarged. In some cases, fencing costs may be 

 reduced by using electric fences. 



For units on which it is impracticable to add livestock enterprises 

 or increase present livestock numbers, commercial production of grass 

 seed may be a possible adjustment, particularly in the less humid areas 

 of the Plains where most of the land is devoted to production of wheat 

 and where few livestock are kept. The present strong demand for 

 grass seeds of all kinds will probably continue for some time. Interest 

 shown by farmers throughout the United States in increasing grass 

 acreages and by ranchers in reseeding badly deteriorated range. 

 coupled with the demand from farmers in both new and established 

 irrigation areas for more pasture has created a substantial deficit in 

 the supply of commercial grass seed. However, if large number- of 

 farmers were to produce seed, supplies could eventually outrun 

 demand. 



