The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-26
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Pure Bred Live Stock
Solve Feeding Problem

prepared by the United States Department
of Agricultural
The extent to which pure bred live
stock helps solve farmers feeding prob
lens is a striking result of a ques-
tionnaire investigation just completed
by the United States Department Of
Agriculture. In this study nearly 800
practical stockmen described what
their most serious feeding problems
were and how they are meeting them.
In answer to the question, do you
find that live stock of improved breed
ing make greater gains or produce
more than scrubs or common stock
when fed in the same way?' there was
almost unanimous agreement on the
better results obtained In feeding i'm
proved live stock. Most replies gave
specific figures on the extent Of SUI
periority as shown by financial returns.
The figures varied widely with an av.
erage superiority of 1916 per cent for
the improved stock. In general, pure
bred stock excelled the grades and the
grades greatly excelled scrubs.
Commenting on the result, live stock
specialists in the Department of Agri- |
culture point out that improved stock |
Is more likely to receive somewhat bet |
ter feed and care, yet, since good stock
and good feed and care go together so
commonly, the per cent given is about
what others may expect when they i'm
prove their herds or fiocks. While the
result lacks the preciseness of scien-
tific work, 1t has as background the
average Of 20 years experience Of
nearly 500 practical live stock owners,
under farm conditions. The figure given
Is strikingly similar to that of 40.4 per
cent obtained by the department more
than a year ago as showing the su-
perior utility value Of pure breds over
common stock from a general farm
point Of view.
Many farmers, in discussing the SUI
perior ability of pure breds in utilizing
feeds, gave interesting experiences. A
southern hog grower states that his
pure bred swine make 80 per cent bet
ter growth than scrubs on the same
feed and care.
A South Dakota farmer told of sell
Ing three good grade steers on the
Omaha market for S55.36 apiece more
per head than scrubs raised with them.
An Ohio dairyman kept milk records
If some common cows and pure breds
With the result that showed produc-
ion at the end of the year double that
# the common stock
Another farmer reported a feeding
est In which he kept well-bred cattle
nd scrubs in the same yard, all receiv-
ng the same ration. The good cattle
attened while the scrubs remained
oor
Scores Of similar experiences indi. L
ate that well-bred live stock is an i'm
ortant means in reducing feeding
osts and increasing financial returns.
II Is OF interest to note however,
nat, no matter how strong the consen-
Us Of opinion may be, there are gen.
rally a. few on the negative side. OF
early 800 experiences, five or about 1
er cent, for one reason or another. had d.
lied to succeed with improved stock. IT.
his fact. taken into consideration with n
lie foregoing data, points to 90 per ilb
mt probability that pure bred and =
her Improved live stock will aid
eatly In solving economic feeding
oblems. Details Of the departments N
cent study Of feeding questions NAV or
obtained from the bureau of animal wi
dustry, United States Department of an
,riculture, Washington, D. G. m'