The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-17
Feeding Cattle for Profit.
" in National Stockman.

Prize Essay in National StOckman.
The manner of wintering cattle intended for
the rext seasons market depends on the time
we intend to market. And now the question
arises (Which is the best season of the year to
put stock on the marketp Upon this there is a
difference of opinion. Many think June or
even the earlier part of the season, the best, as
prices rule higher than in the fall But to close
observers it will be manifest that the greatest
difference in prices is in the slippery, habitat
stock, while choice stock rules nearly as high
in the fail as in the spring. Cattle never
weigh. to their appearance as well during
the early part of the season as they
do in the fall, and after having wintered them,
we like to have the benefit of the pasture season.
However, each has some advantages and disad-
vantages. 1t often suits farmers better to sell
part of them until fall. When intended for
early market. they should come into winter
quarters in good condition, and the feeding
should begin 1t should be moderate at first
say one-haif gallon of chopped feed per head,
with all the good hay they will eat and during
the day they should occupy yard by them
selves, or, in fact should have stabling and
yardage as nearly isolated from other cattle as
possible. 1t is folly for any one to at
tempt to lay down rule by which
the amount of grain to be fed from time to
time. In all my experience in feeding never
yet have found two seasons in which it would be
practicable to feed the same amount. The
feeders Judgment must be depended on, and the
grain ration increased enough to keep them
steadily growing and improving until pasture
comes. Then don't be in too great hurry to
turn out It is better to let the grass have q
good start and harden some. Then dry day
should be chosen for turning out. 1t is a good
plan to bring them in for two or three evenings
and feed them hay at night. They eat more of
it than one might suppose. Care must be taken
in order to not overfeed with grain until they
become accustomed to the grass; then they
should be fed very literally, and be forced right
along until they are ready for market.
When intended for the fall market it will be
necessary to pursue a different course. During
my early experience in cattle feeding, thought
it necessary to feed all summer to have them
ready for market When the time would ar
rive when the pasture becomes more dry, L
found that they spent too much of their time
at the troughs, depending more on the grain
than on the pasture. This led me- to abandon
this plan of feeding and adopt the three months
or one hundred days. system. They may be win
tered much the same as yearlings, except they
should have rather more grain until spring.
| when they can be turned to pasture with moth
| ing except regular sailing. And By Sept. l we
| fud them round and plump, and to the
inexperienced they will appear to be
| fat; but when we come to handle or weigh we
| find they soft, but in splendid shape to begin
| feeding. We mention Sept l. because three
months from this date brings Dec. ], and the
last of November first of December is good
| time to SELL as this is about the beginning OF
| cold weather, the time that cattle fatten best.
| The feeding should be quite moderate at first,
| and ii steer refuses to eat sprinkle his feed
| with salt, or bran, or anything that will tempt
his appetite; when it is found that every one will
eat increase the feed steadily until about Oct l.
when new corn can be had. Here would note