The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1907-04-01

cheap and corn high in price, this prac-
tice seldom proves to be the most prof
table one. Gains are undoubtedly cheap
er than where corn or other concen-
trates are fed, but the lower Irice
which must be accepted for such cattle
usually more than counterbalances this
advantage. That is to say, 1t is usually
good practice to feed corn to cattle
turned to grass when the cattle feeder
anticipates selling them in the large
markets for slaughtering purposes
Where pasturage is abundant on cheap
lands within easy access of any of our
large cattle markets good rental may
be secured off the land by purchasing
thin cattle at the opening of the pas
turing season and running them on pas
ture without grain as long as pasture
remains good or until a favorable mar
ket renders an earlier sale advisable In
a majority Of instances such cattle are
sold to local cattle feeders or returned
to the market to be sold for reshipment
to the country as stockers or feeders.
If an attempt is made to fatten cat
tie with grain on grass their manage
ment will depend uron their age, con-
dition, quality and when it is desired to
either calves or yearlings, and it is in
tended to market them during the pas
turing season, or before it is necessary
to remove them from the pasture to dry
lot, they will need to be grained contin-
uously from the time they are turned
to grass until marketed. With older
cattle we'll wintetred, the question Of
management is largely one Of whether
the cattle feeder, plans to market dur
ing early, mid, Or late summer. If early,
that Is by June Is, the writer is strong
ly of the opinion that the cattle would
better never be turned to grass but fin
ished in the dry lot. Such cattle are
usually SO far advanced in flesh at the
season for turning to grass that if they
are turned to grass the shrinkage is too
great to make the method practicable.
If the cattle are to be marketed about
the middle of July it is then necessary
to have the cattle on full reed when
they are turned to grass and con-
tinue the same until marketed. By mar
keting by July Is the hottest weather
Of summer is avoided which is usually
attended with myriads Of pestiferous
flies which are extremely annoying to
cattle and which materially lessen the
gains during this period
In changing from dry lot to pasture
there are some questions arising that
should receive attention. for example
us it better practice to turn fattening
cattle to grass early or late in the
spring." The answer to this will de-
pend upon the character Of the grass
and condition of the cattle. If there is
a good quantity Of old blue grass left
from the preceding season 1t is good
practice to turn cattle to grass early;
whereas, if all the grass is fresh
growth, severe securing will likely fol-
low such practice. Where pastures are
eaten close the preceding fall, the grass
should be allowed to get a good stand
and get some substance before being
turned onto. If at all practicable, 1t is
wise to turn cattle to grass for only
an hour the first day during the middle
Of the day after the cattle have filled
on their regular feed. On the follow
ing day the cattle can be left on the
grass for longer time and on each sue
ceeding day until they are allowed to
spend their entire time on the fields.
This method occasions considerable
trouble and is unnecessary unless the
cattle are quite f1eshy.
BY many it is believed, and this be-
lief is shared by the writer, that rather
moro pasturage for the season is Sc
cured by letting the grass get a good
start in the spring. Corn may be near
1y all, or in some instance ALL the con-
centrate used. This will depend upon
the age of the cattle the kind of ras-
ture and how soon it is desired to finish
the cattle. The younger the cattle the
more advisable is it to feed some con-
centrate rich in protein as a supple
ment to corn. Both oil meal and cotton
seed meal are extensively used for this
purpose If it is desirable to finish old