The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-02-25

i u VVOPeV 0T0SoIuOs
ing herd ana nursing calves. At the
present time the corn belt IL the re-
gion best adapted to this system. al
though 1t Is practiced in limited way
In other sections. The dualpurpose
system is followed extensively In
many semi-dairy districts. According
to this plan all the cows are milked
and the calves are raised on skim
milk and supplemental feeds. Often
the dual-purpose idea resolves itself
Into trying to make dairy animals out
OF a strictly beef breed. Dual-pur-
pose calves. as a rule, do not possess
the beef-type characteristics Of strictly
beef-bred calves. but when they are
grown out" and fattened properly
they make very satisfactory beef.
Cut Feed Costs to Limit
When feeds are high in price the
use Of cheap rations is especially de-
sirable for the maintenance Of the
breeding herd. Cows raised for the
production Of calves only can be fed
very cheaply on silage and dry rough
ages. combined with a small quantity
Of protein-rich concentrates. although
by the substitution Of leguminous hays
the costly concentrates may be omitted.
Dual-purpOse cows kept for dairy
products as well as calves should re-
ceive feeds nearly identical with those
provided for dairy cows. As far as
possible, homegrown feeds should
be utilized. although it is almost es-
sential that considerable amounts Of
purchased concentrates be provided.
Cows that are MIXED should receive
l pound of concentrate for every 8 TO
pounds Of milk produced. depend
ing upon the fat content Of the milk.
In the South, where velvet beans
may be grown. this crop when planted
with corn affords excellent pasturags
for breeding cows after the corn has
been gathered. Throughout the drought
exposed areas Of the West 1t is un-
usual to save emergency supplies Of
feed. and as q result during the
drought many cattle owners are
obliged to utilize the native range
plants such as soapweed. sotol. bear
grass. and prickly pear. These plants,
ground up. serve to sustain the life
Of cattle where each mature animal re-
ceives from 20 to Is pounds a day.
When from to pounds Of cottonseed
cake Is supplied as a supplement to
the chopped feed fairly good ration
is provided.
In the semiarid region of the South
west. sorghum plants provide excel
lent silage. while in the range Sec
tons of the middle West it is essen.
tial to set aside considerable hay as
emergency feed. During severe win.
ters animals that are especially thin
and weak should be separated from
the rest Of the herd and sheltered an
fed. Cheap shelter not only saves fee
but may save many cattle that woul
die If left exDosed to wintry storms.
How to Feed Beef.
The farmers bulletin mentioned dis
cusses in detail the proper methods
Of feeding cattle in the various beef.
producing sections in the United
StdtcS, anu dlSo prcScAtS q "iuc N0s
riety Of balanced rations suitable for
use in each Of these beefsteak produc-
ing sections. 1t describes at some
length the popular methods Of handling
yearling stockers. while it also empha-
sizes the value as scavengers of hogs,
yard mates Of fattening cattle. The
number Of hogs to use depends upon
the kind Of cattle and the character
and quality Of the grain ration which
is fed. Ordinarily one pig weighing
20 to so pounds to each three steers
is required. When supplemental feed
is provided the porkers, few more
may Just as well be added, the chief
consideration being to utilize all waste
feed and to convert 1t into pork