The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-05-06
Farm Notes
BRIEF POINTS ON

FATrENING STEERS

FATTENiNG STEERS
The following summary of some recent
experiments in steer feeding by the In
diana station made by the Dakota Farm
er is we'll worth careful study, particu-
larly the part relating to timothy and
clover as rouglage:
There is a marked difference in similar
rations grown and fed in different sea-
sons.
High grade, blocky. early maturing beef
calves showing both breeding and quail
ty, are necessary i'll making yearling
beef.
Quality and type are not so essential
in feeding aged steers as in feeding
calves, provided the purchase price is pro-
portionate.
The amount of feed consumed and the
daily grain per steer increases with the
age OF the cattle.
The amount of feed required to produce
n pound of gain on calves was much less
than that required either on yeartings or
2-year Odds. The difference between that
required on yearlings and or 2-year-olds
is not very great.
The results indicate that with the young
er cattle. a greater proportion of supple
ment is more efficient.
The older cattle. if placed in the feed
lot IN equal condition and given a full
feed. will be in higher condition than
either Nedrlings or calves at the end Of
six months.
The margin between buying and selling
prices necessary to insure a profit from
feeding, was smaller with the younger
cattle.
The margin between buying and selling
values OF 2-year-old cattle was so cents
per hundred greater in the first test and
so cents per hundred greater In the Sec
ond test than that OF the calves.
An increase of 10 cents per bushe, in the
price OF corn Increased the cost OF gain
on calves, during a six months feeding
period, 50 to 80 cents per hundred: on
yearlings and 2-year-olds S1.6 on sl.23
per hundred pounds
An increase OF 10 cents per bushei i'll the
price OF corn required a corresponding in
crease of 80 to IS cents per hundred in the
selling price OF calves and OF 81 to 40
cents in that OF yearlinss and 2-year-olds.
An increase OF so cents per hundred in
the original cost OF cattle. required an
increase of IS to 81 cents per hundred in
the selling prices OF calves. and of 81 to
80 cents per hundred on 2-year-old steers.
to insure an equal profit.
More capital is required in feeding the
same number OF 2-year-old steers than
either yearNngs or calves.
The profit per steer was greater in both
tests on two-year-olds than on either
yearlings or calves.
The amount of pork produced from the
droppings, increases with the age OF cat
tie.
Cattle fed on shelled corn and clover
hay make q greater gain than those fed
on Sllelled corn, clover nay and corn
silaee.
A smaller amount Of grain was con-
sumed in the lots receiving corn silage
as compared with those receiving similar
rations without corn silage.
The addition of corn silage to a ration
of shelled corn, cotton seed meal and
clover hap. resulted i'll a more rapid and
q cheaper gain and a greater profit per
steer.
TIL results Of three experi,n ents indi-
cate that corn silage may probably be
used as a portion OF the ration in finish
ing steers.
Corn silage, when added to a ration of
shelled corn and clover hay, had a feed
ing value of $3.50 per ton in the winter OF
1867 and of $4.R in the winter of 1903.
When added to a ration of shelled corn,
cotton seed meal and clover hay, it had
a feeding value of s6.O1 per ton in the
winter of 1908.
The rate Of gain while In the feed lot
did not always determine the finish Sc
cured as measured by market values.
The addition of cottonseed meal did not
decrease the amount of other feeds con-
sulned. but acted as a stinulent to the
appetite.
The addition of a supplement to rations
composed of shelled corn and clover hay,
or of shelled corn. clover hay and corr
silage, required less feed to produce 1U
pounds gain, and resulted in more rapid
and cheaper gains.
ss
q supplement fattened more rapidly, re-
CURED less feed per pound of gain, at,
tanned a higher finish. distributed the
fat more evenly over the carcasses. had
q higher market value and returned a
great profit per head.
Steers fed on clover hay will not only
consume more roughage, but also more
grain than those fed on timothy hay II
both grain and roughage are fed accord
ing to appetite.
The use of a ration composed of shelled
corn and clover hay resulted in a saving
of s. pounds corn and q pounds hay in
producing 100 pounds gain, over the use
of a ration OF shelled corn and timothy
hay.
Glover hay had q feeding value of s1s.s 81
per ton as compared with SEES per tor
for timothy hay during the winter OF
1867.
When clover hay replaces timothy hay
In the ration, there is Il greater amount
OF pork produced.