Gunnison news-champion., 1918-11-15
II In nnd News Of the Scock-Itens
RVUVII vIIII EJIIIlu about Stockmen-FoIowing
VIIIIlII UIIlI UkUIIVII Il, Plow and Shovel-Dry
uAu * of
REDUCING LOSSES OF LIVE
STOCK IN WINTER TIME
By W. r. Clark, Extension specialist
in Animal HusbandTy, Colorado
Agricultural College

=
Agricultural College.
IL i customary for many farmer
and stockmcn not 20 feed their Al
mails much during the winter month
When they are Just pulled through
the average loss per mature animal
is about 200 pounds. This, along
with the cost of feed makes a loss OF
about forty dollars per head. Furth-
ermore, when aHimels get n ru
down condition they are not able 70
withstand disease or ordinary weath
er conditions, and q year of good
feeding is required TO bring those that
survive back TO profitable production.
The loss caused By disease, decrease
Of live weight, and under production
. in Colorado Is not less than $4,000.
10000 4 year. II Is greater in the dr!
/ land sections, but OCCURS elsewherc
. in the state. IL Is avoidable and
I should be prevented. The main reas
on that the farmer does not raise NOR
live stock and realize a substantial
profit is because his feeding is not
liberal.
During the winter Of 1917, the Col
orado Experiment Station fed sixty
steers in six lots. They were put in
the feed lot at SlO.75 per hundred and
sold from $1,000 to Sl7-25 per hun
drcd. The cost Of 100 ID. gain varied
from SlO.O4 TO S2O.62, the average be
ing Sl6.6s. The lot that sold for
|Sl725 per hundred made gain for
SlO.Oi per hundred. The profit per
head, including labor, varied from
$500 70 S67.OO The idea of the ex-
pertinent was to test rations, but il
shows what can be done in securing
profits.
The figures here presented show tina:
the farmer and stOckman SHOULD
change his methods. Instead of 4
loss there should and can be a profit
The gain to the state would be enorm
Gus.
Remedy
, The first thing to do is to feed. In
some parts Of the state the live stock
depend upon the range the whole year
and there Is bound TO be losses. Their"
are few if any places in the stat"
where stock can be carried through
without loss, unless It is handled
some during the winter. Live stock
that makes gain, tho il be small, will
give better after results than if al
lowed to lose in live weight. Liberal
feeding makes milk and meat produc-
ton more profitable, and increases the
value of all young stock. There is no
money in half feeding. Instead OF
selling his hogs and cattle TO be fed
out, the farmer himself should feed
them out. He instead of the big feed
cr should have the profit. 4 few
steers, sheep or hogs fed during thc
winter on every farm will greatly in
crease the prosperity of the state.s
Salt and Water
Lots of salt will keep the live stock
I in healthful condition and cause
them 10 make the greatest use of the
food. The water must be abundant
and wholesome. Contaminated water
often found in sloughs and ponds
should not be used if possible to avoid
it. This is most important.
Shelter
/ Protection from the severe storms
and winds of winter should be provid-
ed as much as possible. This can be
done at small cost and has wonder
full influence in preventing loss and in
increasing the profits.
| The little things should receive more
attention this year than ever before,
since stock values and the need of
animal products are increasing and
every effort should be cxerted to make
the most of our animals.
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