Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-04

There are several modes Of engaging in
the business of raising and fattening steers
for the market. Some farmers buy a lot In
the fall, feed them through the winter and
sell early in spring, while others prefer to
commence with calves and feed them until
they are Of a certain age. In this connection
Professor Morrow gives the Prairie Farmer
the result of experiments made by him with
a view Of determining not only the cheapest
method Of feeding but also to ascertain the
greatest gain In q certain period OF time,
Steers weighing over 1000 pounds, aud IS
months old, we're kept in warm stables dur
ing winter with full feeding Of crushed corn,
oats and q very little oi-meal, and the heavi-
est steer made the smallest gain, but one of
them gained 635 pounds in eleven months A
steer that had been kept on grass until August
20 was then fed on corn. During six months
which ended in November beginning about
May y be gained $50 pounds, nearly equal
to the best gain by full fed grain steer dur
ing the entire season. During September
and October he gained 205 pounds
Calves we're also selected and given good
shelter and full feeding during the winter
They made an average gain Of 1853 pounds,
varying from 1876 to 200 pounds. number
were fed on grass for oompari on. The grain
while those on pasture alone averaged 279
pounds 1t is demonstrated that young ami
mails do best on grain aud grass combined,
but much depends on the quality Of the pae-
ture. While the steer over year old, and
and kept on grass alone, gained more than
some of the others, yet il may have been ex.
ceptional. Although conclusions cannot be
drawn from single trial. yet the experiments
suggested many things that may not have
been well known. Among the conclusions
partially derived are that the difference in
animals Of like breeding and under like treat
ment is often greater than those of typical
animals of different breeds under the pres
ent method OF wintering steers in the West
(Which also applies, no doubt, to the East in
severe seasons) little or no gain Is made in
winter the largest gains may be expected
from animals in thin flesh IL in good health,
and it is difficult to secure rapid gain in
weight during long continued feeding under
like conditions young animals make the larg.
est gain in proportion to food eaten a fair
profit can be made at low prices, by grazing,
and then giain-feeding for two or three
months those cattle that have been judicious.
ly bought and economically reared, TO be sold
when from 80 to SO months old economy of
production is quite as important % maximum
product, especially in times of low prices 1t
is not clear that it is profitable to give full
grain feeding to steers designed for the mar
ket during the best of the grazing season.
1t may be added that it is not considered
profitable to fatten and sell steers as year
ling-. There is an advantage to be taken OF the
aptitude Of young animals to fatten after at
tanning certain age-three years being con-
sidered the proper time-calves growing rap
idly and making quick gain. Whatever
method may be praciiced the farmer should
be guided by the quality aud condition of the
pasture and the value Of the grain intended
to be used. - PHILADELPHIA Record.