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Extension Bulletin 690 Revised April 1957

Federal Cooperative Extension Service Oregon State College Corvallis Foreword At an annual meeting of the then Oregon Cattle and Horse Raisers Association (present Oregon Cattle- men's Association), former president Herman Oliver of John Day, one of the most progressive of the State's range livestock operators, delivered an address covering important factors in range cattle management. This address contained so much valuable subject matter based on sound application of proved scientific prin- ciples that there was insistent demand for its wider distribution. Accordingly, the Federal Cooperative Ex- tension Service of Oregon State College was pleased to include the material presented in its regular series of bulletins,in the belief thatit was a valuable and scientific contribution to informative literature on livestock production. Because of heavy demand, this bulletin is out of print. Request was made of Mr. Oliver for a revision, which is somewhat more comprehensive than the original bulletin, with discussion of later developments in range management. F. L. BALLARD Associate Director OSC Extension Service RANGE CATTLE Wedweicienteat

by HERMAN OLIVER Grant County livestock producer and Member, Oregon State Board of Higher Education

What constitutes a successful live- To be successful in operating a livestock operation ? To be well qualifiedstock plant or any other kind of busi- in the art of livestock production, aness, a man must devote his knowledge stockman should know: and energy to that business. He should Ranch management look ,at it as a long range program and Range management plan accordingly. I believe that to succeed one must Livestock management be adapted to his particular type of Feed requirements business. The one who fails missed his What constitutes a good animal calling somewhere along the line but Good marketing procedures. he might have succeeded in some other business. Sometime in life opportunity These points are so intermingledknocks at the door of every person. If and depend so much on circumstances hegraspsthatopportunity andis and eachotherthatperhapstheyadapted to what has presented itself, he should be lumped together and calledwill be successful. `good livestock knowledge with good Businessoperatorscome under cow sense." three categories :the successful, the

FIGURE 1. Wild meadow hay in stacks, with irrigation water stored in the hills.

13 failures, and those who just get by. Awide swings in forage production from portion of the last group could be moreyear to year. If moisture conditions prosperous, but seem content just toare favorable, the year-round grazing make a living. They have the ability,areas succeed, but there is always the but not the incentive to go farther. element of uncertainty. Every livestock-producing section Considering all kinds of farming, I has its advantages and disadvantages.believe the raising of cattle requires Areas with long winter-feeding periodsmore planning, good sound judgment, require more capital for hay-producingand farsightedness than do most others. lands. This in turn results in moreThe production of livestock is not like taxes, more irrigating, and more ex-raising wheat, corn, potatoes, or other pense in putting up and feeding hay.crops grown and harvested within a All this takes more managerial abilityyear. While raising such crops requires than the type of ranch that can pasturework and good management, coupled out all year. The former type of, live-with knowledge of good farming prac- stock country seems more stable thantices, such operations do not require the sections with year-round grazing.several years to produce a marketable Many of the latter are confronted with crop.

Range Management Practices The first thing to think about inmanaged so there is always ample feed, raising livestock is feed. A livestockthereby conserving the stand and vigor owner perennially short of feed is anof grasses, and maintaining the carry- ex-livestock man quite soon. He has a factory, but no raw material. A man who has to buy feed can succeed only in boom times. It matters not whether the livestock plantisinalocation where there are severe winter months, or in a milder climate with year-round grazing. Livestock eat every day. Therefore, the year-round feed program must be recognized. A weakness anywhere can be fatal. There must be enough hay to feed through the winter season with spring, summer, and fall ranges to balance out the operation. Since this is the foundation of a good livestock plant, good judgment should be exer- cisedwhich is only another name for good management. Ranges and pastures must not be grazed to the extent that roots and FIGURE 2. Spreader ditches add to range pro- crowns are weakened. They should be duction. -4 II

FIGURE 3. Fence line photo depicts good and questionable range management.

ing capacity. Better still, endeavor toand rebuilt to follow the contours of increasetheproduction ofgrazingthe land. This could also be accom- areas whenever possible. Always con-plished among neighbors by the ex- sider pounds of beef rather than num-change of .acres for grazing purposes. bers of cattle.A good productive rangeThis change would make the range will always turn off more pounds ofmore accessible to water, feed, and beef thin a range going downhill. salt. Water development and proper We have often heard the expressionplacement of salt add to better utiliza- "grass is flesh." This is very true. It istion of ranges. the reason why a livestock operator The time to begin grazing spring should be conscientious in his rangepastures should be considered. Give management. On many grazing areasthe ground an opportunity to settle, the acres producing grasses are rough,and permit the grass to get a good and the terrain does not permit thestartbeforegrazing begins.Grass grass to be harvested in any mannershould have sufficient growth to keep except by grazing livestock. ahead of the animals. Much of what is On grazing areas where the terrainknown as "over-grazing"is actually is hilly and rough, it would be a greatbrought about by grazing too early. advantage to the livestockiffences Controlled grazing produces good were removed from the section linesresults for two major reasons; namely,

5 the conservation of soil and the con-'in the summer we see parched ranges, servation of water. Proper grazing re-and remember the surplus of water in tards erosion, and that in turn gets theeach drainage that spring. Range lands, water into the soil instead of into theproducing feeds that can be harvested sea. Once soil is eroded into the largeonly by livestock, supply the most eco- streams and oceans, it is gone forever. nomical pounds of meat that can be Protection of soil is the very founda-produced. The livestock business makes tion of our existence. A landownerits greatest progress during the sum- once said to a soil expert who wasmer months on good grass range. endeavoring to demonstrate to him Since the economy of the West and the importance ofsoil conservation,its livestock industry are tied largely to "You can'ttell me anything aboutits vast acres of range land, and since soil.I have already worn out threemany of these acres would be hard or farms!" Wise grazing methods willnearly impossible to reseed, it is very conserve soil and water. important that livestock operators prac- There are areas, involving consid-tice good range management. A good erable acreage, where much can be ac-range can be kept good forever, but complished through water spreading,once badly hurt, healing may be too utilizing the early runoff. How oftenexpensive or even impossible.

Winter Feed reduce the tonnage of hay produced that season. As soon as the frost is out of the soil and meadows begin to "green up," livestock should be removed. All these practices add to tonnage produced. Time of harvesting and manner of handling of hay crop need special attention to conserve the highest feeding FIGURE 4. Draining meadows for increased pro- value. Since protein is the most essen- duction and winter sanitation is very desirable. tial part of a range operator's feed, all

Hay production is most important. Manage hay and other crop lands to secure the greatest production possible by raising feed best adapted to the soil. Crop land management may. include clearing, drainage, leveling, proper distribution of water, use of adapted va- rieties, and in some cases the use of commercial fertilizers. Trampling may injure the alfalfa standespecially in late fall or winter. Spring pasturing of FIGURE 5. Land leveling for top hay production any meadow, either wild or tame, will and ease of irrigation.

6 FIGURE 6. Well-wintered cows produce strong, vigorous calves. hay crop and pasture management If more hay is produced than is should be geared to maximum proteinneeded, some of the tillable land could production. Letting any kind of hay,be used profitably for irrigated pas- more especially alfalfa, get over-ripe,tures, thereby relieving the load on the or letting it bleach after it is mowed,hill grazing land. One acre may pro- causes it to lose precious vitamins andduce as much feed as SO to 100 acres nutrients. of dry, rocky hill land.

Winter Feeding In the transition from fall graz-in a larger percentage of early calves ing to winter feeding, the cattle shouldthe following year. not be left too long on short pasture. Too much emphasiscannotbe This may save some hay but there isplaced on the winter care of livestock. danger of the stock losing flesh. Main-They are at that time at the mercy taining their weight in the late fall orof the owner, especially if confined in early winter is important. Letting cat-enclosures. tle get thin before putting them on Feedingthehaycroprequires feed is not an economical procedure,thought and planning. Frequent as more feed is required after they arechanges of feed grounds help. The put on their winter rations in order tostock relish the feed better, hay is maintain their vigor. Strong, vigorous,saved, and manure isspread more well-wintered cows pay a big dividendevenly. Feed racks can be used effec-

7 practice. There are areas where certain other required minerals have been de- pleted from the soil. These should be added to keep the animals thrifty. Separate cattle into groups for feeding Classification of cattle for winter feeding is a good policy. Yearling heifers, as well as 2-year-olds, should be fed in separate fields where they will not be crowded away from feed, or pushed around by more mature cows. FIGURE 7. Year-round feed and good manage- Should there be some older or thin ment make for a uniform calf crop. cows in the mature group, it is good practice to feed them separately. tively in wet, slushy weather, thereby Sanitation and disease control saving hay and getting better results. Clean drinking water and clean It may be said of "rack feeding" thatfeeding grounds are especially import- fertilizer is lost to the meadows. Thisant during calving because of better is easily overcome by the use of mech-sanitation for newborn calves. Clean- anizedequipmentthatmosteveryliness in barn lots and around feed rancher has today. This fertilizer canracks aids in the thrift of livestock be moved to sections of the tillable landand proves helpful in keeping down where it is most needed. disease. Feed lots located where shelter is Animals, like humans, are subject available in the form of brush, trees, orto diseases and one must be on the artificially provided windbreaks, addalert at all times to try to avoid them much to efficient feed use. Free and or,if contacted, control them in the easy access to clean water is important.early stage. There are certain types of Salt is an essential part of an animal'sdiseases, such as Bangs, that can com- diet and should be before them at allpletely destroy profits within the year times.Feedingminerals,especially or, if not controlled, can put the oper- phosphorus, in some sections is a goodator out of business.

Uniform Calves Important A good calf crop is very necessary.price. Uniformity in age also will be To have a large percentage deliveredan advantage in the marketing of year- within a period of 60 days adds to thelings and 2-year-olds. This may not be efficiency of caring for the mother andeasy in the larger grazing areas where the offspring at a time when attentionmany users are involved, but much is needed. It also produces a uniformprogress could be made with better co- calf crop which, when grown to mar-operation among breeders using the ketable age and offered for sale, will beranges. more attractive and demand a better Taxes and other fixed high costs

8 have just about outlawedcatch-as- Care of cows catch-can calving methods. If only half In order to get a high calving per- the cows have calves, the cost of eachcentage and have calves come in as calf is nearly twice as high as need be, short a period as possible, cows should and the chance for profit is almost zero.be free of Bangs disease and should be in a good thrifty condition and gain- Care of the sire ing during the breeding season. Re- One effective way to bring about aserve pastures and ranges so fresh feed high calving percentage is to see thatisavailableatthebeginning and the sires have proper care throughoutthrough the breeding period. Select the their resting period. During this periodsmoothest and highest producing graz- keep the sire on ample feed. During theing areas such as seeded acres for that winter months, if the hay is not of toppurpose. It also is very important to grade, add some type of protein con-make sure there is an ample number centrates so that when the time comesof good sound bulls with each cow for his service, he will be in goodherd. Where theoperator pasture- thrifty condition. He should not bebreeds,itis good practice to rotate too fat, but strong and vigorous. Thisbulls. is especially helpful for the 2-year and If at all practicable, breed yearling older bulls that have seen service dur-heifers in pastures by themselves. For ing the previous breeding season. bestresults, 2-year-old heifers with A well-kept sire adds to the thriftcalf by side should have ample feed and vigor of the newborn calf, as wellthroughout the entire season in order as to the percentage of calves. As soonthat they will grow, as well as produce as breeding season is over, remove themilk to insure good growth of the bulls from the breeding herd for thecalves. Heifers in good thrifty condi- rest period preparatory to the nexttion are more certain to get with calf breeding season. for the next year.

. FIGURE 8. Rugged, proved range bulls.Sires that will produce top-gaining, high quality calves. tt, Organization and Inventory Winter Management of Basic Herd Keep plenty of winter feed on Listtotal number ofcattle byhand (hay and concentrates). classes. Spray for lice and grubs. List bulls and ages for future ref- Clip shoulder brands for ages and erence. other identification. Classify herd by age : Classify cattle for specialized win- One-year-old heifers ter feeding, such as a separate lot for weaner calves, etc. Two-year-old heifers

Three-year-old heifers Feeding Four-year-old cows and older Do not allow cattle to shrink, but Heifer calves endeavor to hold weight during feeding period. Steer calves Results of wise feeding program _ -. Yearling steers include : Increased percentage of calves Thrifty, vigorous calves. From the above information, together with assurance of a favorable Positive influence on milk supply. calf crop, an operator is in a position Well-wintered cows strongly af- to do sound planning as to the num-fect the following year's calf crop. ber he can sell and still maintain his operating herd. Calving This is where a well-thought-out culling program becomesprofitable, Use fields or lots that are clean and taking into consideration whether thewith as much shelter as possible. operator plans to keep his weaners until spring, sell at that time, or run them Give close attention at all times to through the summer on grass. cow and calf.

10 Quite often a little care at the Check all fences and gates. Make right time will save the life of a new-proper placement of salt before cat- born calf. tle are turned out Watch for calf ailments. See that calves are well mothered Do not let too many calves remainup, both at turning out time, and when in drop bunch. moving to summer range to avoid or- phans. Brand all animals. Where cattle are pastured through See that branding corrals are cleanthe summer and flies are bad, spray and in good condition. for control. Rotate pasture often, if Check branding irons to see ifavailable. life of metal still remains. Handle calves with much care.

Fall Procedure

' Turning Out If sale cattle still remain in herd, remove and put on good feed as soon If pasture is available, sort the saleas convenient. Classify as far as prac- or cull cows out before they go onticable. Remove all cripples, and those range. with cancerous eyes or other inferior- ities. Sell them as a group by them- Classify cattle as nearly as possible,selves. Show the most attractivelot if certain types or ages of bulls are tofirst,for the first impression is us- be used on individual groups: ually a lasting one.

Reservethebetterpasturefor' Carefully observe the fall range to breeding purposes. . see that available feed will maintain weight: Where large herds are in- Make sure all bulls are strong andvolved, do not get too many weaner sound when going into service. Observecalves in one lot. Lots should be dry them from time to time for need ofand not too large. Provide plenty of replacement.., feed and water.

11 Calving Procedure Where calving is done on the feedA different method should be followed grounds, too much emphasis cannot bewith the young heifers than with the placed on the importance of a cleanmature cows, depending on the num- field. This can be brought about byber involved. Remove young mothers saving a meadow, or feeding area, forand theiroffspring from the main the calving period. First, the numberbunch as soon as the calves are 2 or 3 of cows in each lot should not be toodays old. Keep in small groups of 15 large. It is also a good practice to moveor 20, until the mothers are certain of cows and older calves from the calvingknowing their own calves, and the group in order to keep them on cleancalvesrecognizetheirmothers. A ground, to further assist in controllingyoung heifer has a greater tendency to diseases such as scours, and to cutlose track of her calf and to take up down the chances of cows getting theirwith another. calves mixed. Following these prac- Many breeders follow the practice tices, and giving close attention duringofcalving - inlate winter or early calving, adds to the total calving per-spring, which is a very good procedure centage. where weather permits. There is, how- ever, an element that enters into the pictureofearlycalving,especially where the cow remains on dry feed - too long after giving birth to her calf. The 'cow does not increase her milk f flow until she is put on green pasture, but the calf reaches the age where it requires more nourishment. There are two ways to- add to the development of the offspring that will FIGURE 9. Rack-fed, 2-year-old heifers with calves. Note scale and uniformity of heifers. pay off. When the time arrives that the calf does require more feed, but is too young to eat and relish hay, creep Yearling heifers to be calved as 2-feedingthecalveshasadvantages. year-oldsshould be wellwintered.They can be supplied with a supple- Good quality alfalfa is excellent if ob- tainable and, if not, the best wild hay that was harvested early to retain the maximum amount of protein does very votleAli well. Heifers, like weaner calves, should - be fed from racks, with hay before ti them at all times. It is not always necessary to feed concentrates before calving, but the practice is helpful after calving to keep the mothers in a .thrifty condition and to stimulate milk production. Constant attention should be given FIGURE 10. Rack feeding adds to top develop- the heifers during the calving period. ment of weaner calves: Note adjustable panels.

12 mentary feed that they relish and is It is up to the individual operator digestible. It will add to their growthto determine which practice isbest. and development. The other method isWhen good rate of growth and devel- to give the mothers of the older calvesopment of calves is continuous from that require more nourishment a con-birth, it most certainly pays off whether centrated feed that will increase thethey are sold as weaners, yearlings, or milk supply. 2-year-olds.

Weaning the Calf Crop The time to wean calves must be governed by their condition, available feed, and weather. When the calfap- pears to be losing weight, he should t. be weaned and put on feed thatcon- tains ample protein. Young, growing animals require proteins to develop properly. Their. growth and development should never be retarded. Weaner calves will do much better when fed FIGURE 11. Feed racks placed to take advantage from racks where hay is available at of natural windbreaks. all times. Locate feed lots where the ground is dry andisprotected byas was mentioned for older cattle. This windbreaks. Spring water is most ad-provides an opportunity to increase the vantageous during winter feeding if itnecessary concentrated feeds to crowd is available. the lighter calves along a little faster. Another good practice is to sort the Thepracticeoflettingweaner steer calves from the heifers and feedcalves have access to large fields is not in separate lots. It also is good policyadvisable. They put in too much time to remove the thinner, less developedeach day exploring, and feeding on old calves and feed them in separate lotsdead stubble with little feed value.

Quality and Profit Good quality livestock plays a veryto cash in on the product somewhere importantpartinsuccess.Havingalong the line. Being in the beef pro- made an investment in a livestockduction business, he will expect to plantwhetherlargeorsmall,ormake this feed go as far as he can and whether or not interest is being paidproduce the most economical growth on the investment, there is a fixed over-and pounds of flesh. This can best be head in taxes and operating cost. Thedone by processing the feed through goal strived for is profit. This goal iscattle with good conformation,effi- reached by raising feed and processingciency of gain, and high rate of gain. it through high quality, efficient live-"Eat and grow thin" may be a good stock. motto for humans, but not for cattle. The operator strives to produceaThe original investment in taxes, labor, high quality feed and naturally expectsand other overhead, is just the same

13 whether a high grade or low grade ani-mals covered with some finish,but mal is produced. not having the top fleshing that the The return from high quality, goodconsuming public demands, must either doing cattle is far greater than fromfinish his own cattle on concentrates the poor animal. It costs less to pro-or sell them to a feeder. It is just a na- duce a pound of beef from better do-tural course of good business for the ing cattle, and a pound of beef fromfeeder to secure and pay a premium a high quality animal is worth more onon good quality stock over and above every market whether purchased bythe lower grades. If he buys the lower feeder, packer, or consumer. grades he wants them only at a bar- The range operator producing ani-gain price.

Bull Selection The sire must be a higher grade animal than the dam if improvement in quality is to be expected. Emphasis is on the sire because his quality, being higher than the dam, should show up in the offspring and he has many offspring, not just one. If the dam is of higher quality than the sire, no improvement of the cow herd is possible. Bull selection is of major importance in an improvement program, for asirereflectshisbreeding ability, FIGURE 12. Conformation requirements for a top whether good or bad, on upwards of range bull; depth, width, thickness, straight line, 20 calves annually. If it is good, you heavy quarters, and excellent head. are making progress; if it is bad, you have lost ground, time, and income. A Inselecting individuals, keep in sire becomes a liability if he doesn'tmind just what constitutesa good produce calves as good as, or of betterbreeding bull. He should be a high quality than, the cow herd. quality individual with good conforma- The herd from which the bull istion, especially strong in the areas of to be selected should be carefully ex-the high priced cuts; that is, straight amined. Is the cow herd better thantop lines, strong back, a good thick yours ? Is the herd uniform and is it aloin, a wide long rump, a deep, thick strong breeding herd? Herd sires alsoround and twist. He should also be should be carefully examined for thegood in all other points as described same things and should be as strongfor an ideal cow. He should have plenty as, or stronger than, the cow herd. Inof size for his age; that is, he should order to improve your cow herd, yoube an early maturing, fast gaining in- should have in mind where your herddividual, that shows promise of siring is the weakest. Make sure that the siresthe same type of calves with a high and dams of the bulls you select, asdaily rate of gain. "Like begets like." well as the individuals selected, are Before the final selection, make an strong where your herd is the weakest.examination of other animals in the

14 herd belonging to the same family. It is much easier to make this selec- These are some of the things to looktion and get the top production bulls for: in a herd if the purebred breeder has been carrying on a program of produc- VDo the cows have large calves, in-tiontesting. This makes itpossible dicating good milk production? to go through the cow herd record and VDoes the rest of the family haveselect bulls from top producing famil- size for age and efficiency of gain?ies. A chance good looking bull some- times shows up in a poor herd, but you VDo they have the conformation de-can usually bet that his calves will not sired ? carry his good appearance.

Desirable Traits of the Brood Cow In planning the herd improvement reaches down into afull,deep. program, first have in mind just what heart girth, and depth' of body. constitutes a desirable brood cow. She A deep, full flank and a sound, should have: well-attached udder with small, L Character.. uniform teats. Scale. Short, straightlegs located on Conformationandsmoothness each corner. with plenty of natural fleshing. ' Heavy bone. 5: A strong but feminine head. A short neck, well blended into the shoulder. A straight, thick,full top line, wide with plenty of natural thickness throughout. A long, wide rump that carries down wide and full into the twist :Nom i and hock. FIGURE 13. This good type range cow and her week-old calf illustrate desirable foundation ani- A wide, full spring of rib that mal and offspring.

Culling

It is of material assistance in mak- . 3. Poor milkers. ing selections to class cattle by ages, so each age class can be culled to make Poorly fleshed. a more uniform lot. Remove the "un- Bad backs and thin roonds. desirables" such as: Spoiled udder s,exceptionally 1. Fine boned. large teats. -Small type. Cripples and low producers.

15 After removing a certain number,You must develop the ability to see if the operator desires to continue onthe many inherited weaknesses that the same operating level,it then be-can enter into a herd, and then it is comes necessary to go into the yearlingeven more important to have the nerve heifers and top out the same numberor backbone to cull these weaknesses as cows removed, or a few extra, tofrom the herd. For instance, how much replace those culled from the breedingbetter off the beef industry would have herd. been if five years ago all breeders had We cannot overemphasize the im-immediately culled cows and sires of portance of the culling program. Manydwarf calves and other weaknesses an operator can see or select a topsuch as crooked legs, weak rounds, quality animal, but just naturally hatesweak backs, shallow bodies, weak heart to sell off any cow that will have a calf. girths. poor feet, etc.

Selecting Replacements Select replacement heifers from thewhere careful selection can be made. top grade and high producing cows in This procedure requires some kind theherd. A well-developedcalfatof identification, such as a numbering weaning time would indicate that thesystem. With all this information at dam is a good milker, which gets thehand, and by carefully watching the calf off to a good and quick start. Thismarket on the same quality of cattle, selection program can best be done inthe operator is in a more favorable the late fall, winter, or early spring,position to realize actual value of sale while cattle are still in the feed lotsheifers.

FIGURE 14. Cows selected for conformation and top production. Note uniformity, scale, thickness, straight lines, and well-developed udders.

16 Grading The best way to gain the conforma-sired conformation that he should be tion and quality described is throughgetting in his herd. thestandard grading system.This grading system is based on Federal market gradesofcattle, and gives some clues to the qualities associated with good breeding ability. Grades on individuals give a simple record of each animal's conformation. Every operator should take full advantage of this grading system as a means of obtaining important information. By following a grading program FIGURE 15. Shoulder brands show age of cow one can acquaint oneself with the de- and give her individual identification.

Identify Your Animals by Brands The only way to build a top qual-lazy A, with the top part pointing for- ity herd is to select for the best; thatward or backward. is, the best milk producers, the best A system of combination letters and gaining ability, and the best conforma-numbers can also indicate the sire and tion. This can be done only by identi-dam of each animal. In small herds, a fying each animal in the breeding herdheifer might carry the same number through a numbering system, in orderas her dam so at a glance you could thatproducing ability ofindividualtell her age, dam, and sire. Of course, animals may be checked. the heifer's letter would be different One way of numbering cattle is tofrom that of its dam. The letter and its fire brand on the left shoulder. This isposition, plus the number, identifies done with a combination of letters andeach animal completely. numbers. The letters indicate the year The numbering system is the key the animal was born; the numbersto the improvement program. These identify the individual. For example,identifications can be used in many heifers born in 1950 might be brandedways to improve the herd. Record can as follows :all would have the letterbe made of the best producing cows, A to indicate the year. Since Oregonso they can be selected to breed to the Law requires that three digits be used, strongest breeding bulls. Replacement start with the number 10 so the firstheifers are chosen from such matings. heifer would be branded A 10. This isCows with similar conformation but her number for life. If the operatorwith production weaknesses can be has over 90 head of heifers to brandselected out and bred to bulls that are each year, the letter can be used in strong where the cows are weak. Cows different places. For example, it can becan be followed through their produc- placed above, behind, or below thetion cycle, which results in a selection numbers in different ways, such as aguide. Year identificationis helpful

17 here, for by just looking at the cowstance, if the herd is tested for Bangs you can give proper consideration to disease,allreactors can be selected the effect age might have on her pro- in the field, avoiding putting the entire duction, development, and size for age.group through the chute to read ear The numbering system also is usedtag numbers. in proving new bulls. Records can be Conformation of the cow is not made of the cows serviced by newenough on which to base the entire bulls,thereby making itpossible toimprovement program. Actual produc- prove the bulls or build a productiontion of the cow is of most importance, record. Then, this bull production rec-for a cow with good conformation ord can be followed by checking on thedoesn't always breed true. The pri- development of his calves. This makesmary aim should be to develop.a cow it possible to dispose of poor breedingherd that can produce the maximum bulls. The numbering system providespounds of beef at the usual selling age a way to keep a record of matings, soin as neat a beef package as possible. you can keep good bulls in the herd The only sure way to get these much longer. This automatically re-maximum pounds of beef is to develop duces that portion of overhead that isa production record on every cow. This charged against the operation as bullis done first by individually identifying services, and at the same time continueseach animal. Then by making periodic the service of a top quality sire. With-checks on each cow, one can soon select out this information, bulls with goodfor the best producers and the best breeding ability often go to slaughterconformation. These checks are made when the owner would be better off ifin the spring when the calf is dropped, he kept them for 2 or 3 years longer.and againinthefall.Calvesare A proven sire from 7 to 10 yearschecked shortly after birth on their of age can be used successfully, andconformation, size at birth, and uni- will settle upwards of 25 cows withformity. This information is tied back calf in about 45 days, if on good pas-to both the dam and sire, especially in ture and by himself. When breedingthe case of the heifer replacement herd. yearling heifers, and more than oneThe calves are checked again in the bull is required for a given number,falltodetermine growth forage, it has been my observation that 3- orwhich is primarily a check on milk - 4-year-old bulls will settle them withproductionoftheindividualcows. calf in a shorter time than if youngerAt thistime,notescan betaken bulls are used. onthebestandpoorestmilkers. This numbering system also helpsThis information can be used both in improving the health of the herd,for culling and for selecting for milk for records can be made of any abnor-production. The poorest milking cows mality or weakness, such as uterus pro-are culled from the herd, and heifers lapses, shy breeders, cows that dropselected from the best milkers. weak calves, poor milkers, etc. If surplus heifers are sold as long It can also be used as a permanentyearlings, a further selection for maxi- record for Bangs or other disease test-mum production can be made by selecting and vaccinating programs. For in-ing for growthy, high quality heifers.

18 FIGURE 16. Well plar -1 and well constructed corrals add toease of handling stock.

Proper Handling Important Proper handling of livestock addswith good latches. Chutes should be to the growth and weight of animals.strong to withstand rough treatment On the other hand, anything that tendsduringdehorningandvaccinating. to irritate, or make the animals nerv-Spraying and loading chutes should be ous or restless, affects their well being.built with easy access from one corral Avoid abuse or rough handling incor-to another, calling for a minimum of rals or shipping points. In this respect,effort. Careful handling of livestock in excessive use of the electric prod stickmoving, loading into trucks, etc., will or other "gadgets" should be avoided.conserve their flesh and weight, while Dogs are frequently detrimental to live-careless workmen can in one day take stock,especiallyaround cows withoff flesh that will be lost or require calves, but are of great help on thedays to restore. While these things may range if used properly. seem of minor importance, they do Corrals should be well built, prop-contribute to a successfully managed erly partitioned by free swinging gates livestock operation.

Marketing In order for any feeder-producer tothat satisfied customers are your best profit in the livestock business, he mustmarket outlet. Producing good doing be able to do a good job of livestockcattle is the answer to return-custom- marketing. First, he must produce ani-ers. Many of the best range cattlemen mals that are appealing to the eye, andin Oregon sell their feeders to the are top producers before and aftersame man year after year. selling date. Salesmanship is very im- In ordertoproperlypricethe portant in making the best sale pos-year's sales and properly class the cat- sible. Get the top price for the varioustle for sale, the operator needs to be grades within the herd. Keep in mindthoroughly familiar with the grades

19 a imeirir Yr gi 7,74= r.

711

FIGURE 17. Convenient loading chute adjacent to scales. of cattle. These classifications or gradesthen check the several different markets come under several headings for feeder for their market prices. These quota- cattle,such asfancy,choice,good,tionsare based mainly on grades. medium, common, and inferior. Nat-Knowing the grades of the cattle being urally, there is quite a variation be-offered for sale, the seller or producer tween inferior and fancy. If the pro-is in a much better position to set an ducer does not know the values of theasking price for his cattle. different grades, he is not likely to get A good job of marketing is not the real market price for his grade ordone just at or during the marketing he may turn down a good offer. Theseason. A great deal of long range only way to take advantage of top pro-planning must be done to have a production developed into a _herd is toduct that is strongly in demand. Like- build a reputation for having that kindwise, an operator should do much an- to sell. nual planning in order to get the maxi- The way to secure the real marketmum pounds of beef to sell from the value of your livestock is first to de-forage available without damaging fu- termine the grades of cattle for sale,ture returns.

CONCLUSION The pleasure and profit of running with emphasis on pounds per a beef operation can be achieved only animal rather than numbers. through closely observing : Production practicesthatwill Intelligent ranch and range man- result in maximum poundage of agement. high grades of beef. Production of ample, nutritious Marketing- to obtain maximum feed. returnsperinvestment made Production of high quality stock, and effort expended.

Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, F. E. Price. director. - OregonStateCollege and the UnitedStates Department ofAgriculturecooperating. Printed and distributed in fmtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914.