The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-12

Philadelphia Record.
1t has been demonstrated that when an
animal is kept fully up to its work ii can
be made to gain over two pounds daily for
twelve months. This gain. however. de-
ponds upon the age of the animal and the
manner in which it is fed. In the case or
young steers, under three or four years old.
the farmer in attempting to fatten them
has a different duty to perform from that
of adding weight to a fully matured steer.
A small proportion of a certain kind OF
food will often perform greater service for
young stock than a larger quantity of the
same food when the steer is more advanced
in age. and yet this matter is otter over
looked by farmers when raising cattle for
the butcher. The principal aim or the
farmer is to increase the weight by having
the steer as fat as possible. for the reason
that at times fat is more easily produced on
an animal than either lean meat or bone.
There are periods when il is impossible TO
create an excess of either fat or lean on an
animal, and this is Influenced by the age.
For instance. If one begins with yearling
steer, the natural inclination of the animal
is to grow, and during the process OF
growth the system demands material con-
tanning but small proportion of fat. but
growth adds to the weight, and the more
rapid the growth the greater the increase
in weight, which accounts for the quick
gains mace by young steers as compared
with those approaching maturity, ana WHICH
has given rise to the claim that baby
beef is the cheapest. Baby beef can certain
ly be produced in the shortest time. but
whether it is the cheapest is a question yet
to be decided. 1t is true that young beef
can be made in larger quantities and at a
more rapid rate than matured beef, but
there Will be difference in the cost, from
the fact that the material fed to young
animal will not give the same results when
fed to one that is matured. A young steer
must have the material for promoting the
growth OF flesh and bone. and this must be
provided before an ounce of fat can be de-
posted on any portion of the body. II may
receive liberal supply of food, but there
is a risk of deficiency in some particular
essential that may be overlooked. Progress
s1ve farmers know exactly what progress
they are making and feed for such results.
They combine the qualities of the feed and
the breed and endeavor to get as much as
possible in the shortest space of time. They
know the breeds and use them. They are
aware of the fact. that some breeds assini-
latet more food and give off less waste
than others. and as their motive is to con-
deavor to do so quickly and economically.
Farmers, therefore, will find IL to their ad-
vantage to frequently weigh the young
stock, and note the ratio of increase in
weight. By so doing they will be enabled
to discover the cause of any failure on the
part of the stock and to correct all mis-
takes. The time is coming when farmer
will be satisfied with less than two pounds
a day from birth for his two-year-old steers
rows and wethers up to one year of age.
After approaching maturity the gains are
not so great but previous to that time every
young animal should be pushed.