Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1890-02-27
Tie Extravaganza CT PasturInG Cattle
Over Large Tracts,

The Extravaganza CT Pasturing Cattle
Over Large Tracts,
The time will come when beef cattle
will be raised on small farms and the
food cut and carried to the cattle instead
of using the land for pasture. The sys-
tenn of pasturage is apparently the most
profitable of all methods for raising cat
tie, and no doubt it will be difficult to
convince farmers that 9th r systems are
cheaper and better but whom the farmers
find that they are compelled to limit their
operations to smaller areas they will be
surprised to learn that they have before
been using the most extravagant system
that is possible to be applied to dairying
that of pasturing over large tracts.
Even with our advanced system OF agri-
culture and stock raising the farmers
have not become fully awakened to the
impoI lance of the use of Thoroughbred
cattle for the production Of beef, b1tter
and milk, and until they have, as class,
graded their stock to degree nearly
reaching the full bred, they viii not
kindly adopt the intensive methods, but
must ultimately be forced from their
present position, and the change will be
to their ad vantage.
The value of the land, the interest on
It's value, and the possible profit from its
use are factors that should enter into the
expenses of dairying or cattle-fseding.
Whether it is cheaper to allow the cattle
to 90 to the pasture, harvest the grass,
and bring it to Ike barn in their ston-
achs, or whether it is cheaper to cultivate
the land in order to derive al that II will
produce, and feed the produce 10 the cat
tie at the barn, is the important question
that is receiving more attention than any
other relating to feeding at the present
time, and the ultimate solution viii de-
pend on the growth of the country and
the value of tho land. But every farmer
has had some experience in com
parison of the two systems, for the fat
tening of steers in winter is simply the
application of the intensive system
though necessity, as the Lack of pestur-
age forces the farmer to keep his stock
confined in order that he may feed and
care for them with as little labor Is pos
sible.
The largest profit derived is from the
manure, as but 80 per cent of the food
eaten is digested and assimilated. the cat
tie carrying away from the farm but that
proportion, though this mayvary accord
ing to the kind of food provided II the
cattle have no profit, when sold, over the
cost of food, the manure would still
remain as large item in their favor.
The fattening of steers, however, as ss
present practiced, Is for the farmer 10 g
ON the market and buy q lot for thaSpu-
pose. If he becomes interested in the
Improvement of his stock he viii laasz
that it is cheaper to rails his ssssrs 90
fattsn them, for he can secure more -
from a well-bred S-year old stesr tAaz
from two steers bought from dealers, q
there is just that difference between ~
two classes of animals. Good breeding.
with the use of ensilage and grain, and
the young animals forced in growth fsssn
the start, will not only give . lasgez
profit but allow more land to be eHdtt-
waited by . more economical system OF
feeding.