St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-09-17

dreds of steers have been raised, and
poorly raised at that. These in their
second, third or fourth year. when al
lowed a good grass run, may be easily
taken by the novice as fairly good and
profitable animals to buy. especially
If secured at from 2A to 3 cents per
pound. Now, if such cattle are from
beefy dams, says Farmers Advocate,
and have been well reared, they might
return a profit for labor and cheap
food consumed; but in most cases the
dairy cows that are bred are not OF
that sort and the result is to disgust
the inexperienced steer. feeder with
trying to make money out of beef, or
else to show him the more glaring les
son, that 10 try to do it with the wrong
type Of animal was the mistake. Prac-
tical and experienced feeders, who
breed or purchase steers for fattening,
observe striking differences In the
aptitude of animals Of varying types
and makeup to lay ON flesh readily
and in such form and quality MS to
command the highest price on the
market.
Prof. Crrtiss says. in recently is
sued bulletin on Essentials in Beef
Productions" 1T requires a we'll
trained eye to detect in all cases the
possible variation of results in the
store or stock steer; but there are
some distractions that are easily de-
tected. There are certain types of
cattle, for instance, that never feed
profitably under any conditions. and
il is quite as important to discriminate
against these in the feed lot as to be
able to recognize the excellence in
other types. The accompanying illus
tration. Fig. 1, represents yearling
steer that combines practically all the
qualities that 60 to make up q good
feeding steer" While the actual feed
ing qualities Of a steer in thin condi-
tion are more difficult to detect than
one in a better condition. still the bet
ter sort Ito quote Prof. Curtiss) 'pre-
sents Z blocky frame and stoutness Of
build, accompanied by short, straight
legs, wide back and loin, well-sprung
ribs, fullncss back Of shoulders and in
flank. prominent brisket, wide chest
and well-rounded barrel, together
with a good. soft. mellow-handling
skin and fine silky hair, giving what is
termed the thick, mossy coat, without
coarseness. and, withal, good strong.
vigorous head, clear, full eye. and
quiet temperament" Soft, mellow
will the thrifty steer of beef form
coarseness in head, horn or any other
part are desirable characteristics.
Cheap meat, a greater percentage of
offal, - well as tendency to unthrift-
mess. usually accompany coarseness
and q matchmaking skin. Not only
will the thrifty steer of beet form
make greater gains for the food con-
snmed. but he will sell for much bet
ter price per hundredweight when fat.
This is readily understood when it il
remembered that loin and rib roasts Of
prime quality retail for from Is
to IS cents per pound, while flank and
plate cuts sell for from two to four
cents, and internal taliow for four
cents per pound. It is not . matter
of prejudice against this or that breed
or type. when an expert buyer oners
3A cents per pound for one mans cat
tie, and ~ cents for another lot Of
no greater weight, as he values them
strictly on their merits. The control
ling factor is the utility and inherent
value of the animal for the practical
test Of the butcher. So that II some
of us have, perchance. remodeled our
stables with the idea of feeding steers,
and after winters feeding are almost
ready to proclaim that there IL mo
money In beef" let M look into the
cause AMI see whether or not we have
given the matter q fair trial in the
character of animals fed; and before
giving up, II it is necessary to pur-
chase sfockers, may We select only
those which have been well reared
from thrifty, beef-form parentage.
and In themselves possess the charac-
tcristics Indicated in the cut.