The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-07-15
FEEDING BEEF CATTLE.
Clemson Extension WOrk-Ar-
ticle {.

cattle for market and at least get the
manure for our trouble? Can we
feed beeves at profit?
We are often asked these questions
and brief summary of results Of
feeding a lot of about 80 may be Of
interest as by this means We can
present facts and not guess work.
This lot We began to feed on No
vember 13 and it consisted of mix
ed bunch of steers and heifers, nearly
half of each.
By February 26 they had gained s.
S96 pounds, or gain of 218 pounds
each, averaging a little mo ) than
II 1-2 pounds per head per week.
This, as any feeder knows, is a
very good gain and was particularly
good in this instance, as they were a
mixed lot of mountain cattle, obtained
locally, and of a rather low average
in quality.
In this time they consumed $500
pounds silage and 21,162 1-2 pounds
cotton seed meal, or an average of 81
pounds silage and 1-2 pounds meal
per head per day.
If silage is valued at, $500 per ton
and meal at $4,000 per ton, then these
steers cost to feed at rate of II IA
cents per day. To Offset the cost Of
the feed We obtained the gain Of
IA SIS pounds per week, the manure,
and the increase of value to the whole
ANNA! that comes from the added
flesh
In some sections it is expected to
sell the animal for at least l cent per
pound more when fattened than they
cost when thin. Using these figures,
let US see how our account would
stand
Silage consumed in the Is
weeks, at SO per ton ....s 1890
Meal for same time at $50
per ton. =. ..... $500
Total cost Of feed .. >. IS 475.00
Weight at start was 22,S5O pounds.
At 1-2 cents per pound, the amount
would be s799.75.
The gain was 1886 pounds, making
the selling weight 2S,746 pounds. If
sold at a gain of cent per pound
then
2S,746 pounds at 4 IA cents
per pound. .. :. 49,. 81, ,293.17
From this take COST. .: :. 1878
6alance.. ..S 493.42
Cost of food as above. IS 475.OO
Selling price above all cost. IS 2O.42
Selling price is only an estimate as
the above cattle were for our own
use hence not sold, but the lesson re-
mains just the same.
Under favorable circumstances
this indicates that cattle may be fed
for beef and the manure obtained for
the labor.
If the cattle We're fed at seasons
when meal is lower in price the
showing would be better. The silage
too, may usually be grown for less
than So per ton and in that case it
would be so much to the advantage of
the feeder.
The foregoing shows that this in
dustry may be profitable as an aid in
building up the farm, but we must
present the following cautions, and
would suggest the desirabilty Of fat
tening only few, say car lot, the
first time and let the business grow
as one becomes accustomed to all
the conditions to be met.
# cattle are brought from dis
-tance, study the freight rates and see
~ Ine1L Ady " Ou1UlI IuS enterprise.
In buying be careful they are not
- weighed just after receiving food and
water.
Learn if the market in which you
wish to sell, will take heifers, or if it
pays better for steers, and act accord
ingly.
If heifers are bought, get spayed
ones if possible, or if not then such
as are not bred, or at least that are
not far advanced in pregnancy.
Buy local cattle if possible, and
save not only freight, but the shrink
age caused by shipping, these often
being very serious drawbacks to the
enterprise.
Do not feed too long, but yet
enough to satisfy the market. When
cattle are nearly finished, the cost of