Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-08-11

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 an6
profitable animals to buy, especially
if secured at from 234 to 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 20 make money out of beef, or
else to show him the more glaring les
son. that to try to do il with the wrong
type OF animal was the mistake Prac-
teal and experienced feeders, who
breed or purchase steers for fattening
observe striking differences in the
aptitude of animals of varying types
eGd makeup TO lay on flesh readily
and in such form and quality as &c
command the highest price on the
market.
Prof. CUrtiss says. in a recently IS
kuSO Dul-SI1u LSScHEldlS OSC3
Production" 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
tonne distinctions that are easily de-
tected. There are certain types OF
cattle. for instance, that never feed
profitably under any conditions. and
it 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. I. represents yearHne
steer that combines practically all the
qualities that go to make up a good
feeding steer" While the actual feed
ing qualities of a steer in thin condi-
tion are more difficult TO detect than
one in better condition, still the bet
ter sort Ito quote Prof. Curtiss) pre-
sents a blocky frame and stoutness OF
build, accompanied by short, straight
legs, wide back and loin. well-sPrung
ribs. fuIIncss back of shoulders and in
flank, prominent brisket. wide chest
and weIl-rounded barrel. together
with a good. soft. mellow-handling
skin and fine silky hair, giving what is
termed the thick. messy coat, without
eoarseness. 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, as well as tendency to unthrift-
iness. usually accompany coarseness
and a Matchmaking skin. Not only
will the thrifty steer of beet forIh
make greater gains for the food con-
sumed, but he will sell for q much bet
ter price per hundredweight when fat.
This is readily understood when it is
remembered that loin and rib roasts of
prime quality retail for from 1e
to IS cents per pound, while flank and
plate cuts sell for from two to four
cents, and internal tallow for four
cents per pound. It is not matter
of prejudice against this or that breed
or type, when an expert buyer offers
314 cents per pound for one mans cat
tie. and Az 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 If some
of Us have. perchance. remodeied our
stables with the idea Of feeding steers,
and after q winters feeding are almost
ready to proclaim that there is nc
money in beef" let US look into the
cause ami see whether or not we have
given the matter a fair trial in the
character CT animals fed; and before
giving up. if it is necessary to pur-
chase stockers. may we select only
those which have been well reared
from thrifty. heef-form parentage,
and in themselves possess the charac-
teriSfics indicated in the ont