The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1898-01-15
Profitable Age TO Sell Steers.


J. w. Robe.-There are evidently two
or three ways Of raising steers, which
materially affects their growth; and
upon this much depends when they
should go to market in order to bring
the highest price, hence quantity and
quality of food eaten must enter large
~ into ascorrect answer. There are,
also, two or three kinds of steers to
raise which have their influence upon
the most profitable age to sell. The
most profitable age, in my opinion, to
sell scrub or Jersey steer, is either
ABOUT six weeks or six months old.
After this he is always kept at a loss.
Hence, the manner of keeping and kind
OF steers both must enter into a full
answer, as all have their influence up
on the profits when sold. But what
Kind OF steers to raise for profit is not
so'much disputed as the most profitable
way OF keeping steers and when to sell.
First of all, steer may be raised by
stuhng him winter and summer with
all ne can eat and of whatever kind Of
lood ne likes best, from calfhood up.
secondly, he might be kept on rough
ness, mainly, through the winter, and
plenty OF grass during summer. Third
ly, he might be kept on short rations,
stlnted, winter and summer. This is
never done by good cattle raisers
(tnough | have seen it done on small
lots), and as it is always at loss, we
Will not discuss this method of rails
ing steers further than to just state it.
by the first method of keeping steers
tney Will mature about twelve months
earlier than by the mode of keeping of
the second. Does this pay? is the point
involved in this question. Let US look
at it little from calfhood up.
First, then, suppose you give the calf
all OF the milk of its dam, and at about
two months old begin feeding him
shelled corn, shorts, oil cake, ETC.,
changing feed often, and buying what
ever suits his fancy best, with plenty
OF grass, thus keeping him in high con-
dition till he is about two and half
years old and weighs about 1000
pounds.
Second. Ordinarily the calf is al
lowed half of it's dams milk, If you
do not wish to take half the milk, a
second calf may be mated, and let the
two take the one cows milk, giving
them plenty Of grass. When winter
sets in, or if grass is short sooner, turn
to hay stacks, and feed some shelled
corn III plenty Of IS comes gain
wintered thirty-fve the past winter
in good condition, without corn, on
grass and hay; but it will pay we'll
! usually to feed some corn the first
winter. Then grass him we'll through
the summer, because this takes no la
Dor to furnish; then, the next winter,
rough him through on fodder and
straw, stock fields, hay and all the win
ter grass that can be had. The next
summer grass we'll, and winter as be-
fore; or if you have plenty of corn,
some might be fed very proftably dur
| ing the latter part of the winter, COM
ing three years old, always keeping
| him in good condition. Then be very
| sure to give him abundance of the best
! Of grass the coming summer, and about
| the closing Of the grazing seasoil, .sleI
he is three years old Tor at the age OF
three ana a half years., would send
| him to market. He has been with yor
! little longer than the first, and may
weigh a little more If we'll kept, but
has cost you much less and will bring
you more clear money. ALI that is
pitt Oh after 1900 or 1000 pounds is
slow growth, and will hardly pay you
for the food consumed.