Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-09-19
AUSTIN, MINNESOTA, SEPTEMBER l9. 1883.
The Dairy Observation-Disclosures Calves.

In the Elgln district OF Illinois, within
radius of Is miles of the city, there are
in round numbers $4,000 COWS kept for
dairy purposes, and it is fair to suppose
that annually 10000 calves are dropped
by these cows, of which not more than
from death, wearing out or failures as
mixers is about 10 per cent, or 5000 cows,
it will be seen that they have to purchase
about 1000 head each year to keep up
their herds. This requires an outlay Of
over $685., 900 annually. There is also a
section in Wisconsin where the number of
COWS is about one-fourth of the number
at Elgin, and the other proportions are
about the same, 80 it will be seen that
these sections are paying out nearly all
the profits they receive from the dairy to
keep up their herds. The cows that are
brought in there for sale are picked in
carload lots, and as rule are not of any
known breed, and many of them are COM
Short time after they have come in, as
they have no staying milking qualities.
These dairymen ought to and could raise
their calves, but they think 1t little too
much trouble, and claim they can buy
cheaper than they can raise them, but
this is questionable. Under the gathered
cream system, as adopted in this state, the
farmers have the skim milk left on their
farm in sweet condition, and from it
good calves can be raised, and cheaply,
too. On the fair grounds are to be seen
some very fine, large calves that have
been raised on skim milk alone. When
the farmer has the skim milk he can give
the calf a half ration and add to it at
each feeding quart of thin oatmeal
cruel tor each calf made by taking a
1,,ch 0f of Tina
placing in barrel of sour milk. The oat-
meal is better soured little, as it is some
what likely to produce scours if fed sweet
or little graham or barley meal will an
swer the purpose. Oatmeal treated with
sour milk is nearer the natural milk of the
dam than any other food. 1t promotes
the growth of bone and muscle, and the
milk keeps the calf healthy. Some of the
Iowa dairymenhaves successfully followed
this plan for years, and they find that it
costs comparatively little in time or
money to raise their calves, and in these
days when yearling will readily sell for
800 they find it to be a good paying in
vestment. The price of cows is increas'
ing each year, not alone because of the
profits of dairying, but largely because SO
fine heifer calves are raised in Illinois and
Wisconsin. Minnesota farmers must not
for moment think of Strengthening their
calves. They should raise every one of
them, and we believe they can do it by
following the above simple inexpensive
rule.
PROFITS FROM DAIRYING.
When one engages in q business he in
quires about the probable results for the
reason that he does not wish to venture
into anything that will prove a losing
thing for him, so farmers who are think
ing of going into the dairy business in
quire what the probable profits will be.
Now to all such let us say that, with the
advantages Minnesota offers for dairying,
the profits are proportionately larger here
than in Illinois, and as we have been to
some trouble to collect figures, we will
give them and let our readers judge for
themselves. An ordinary COW will give
200 pounds of butter per year, which, if
properly made, will average 20 cents per
pound this gives $40; the skim milk for
pigs and calves has market value of $40 !;
the calf will sell for $40, and if a heifer
is W orth more, but call it SO; that gives
$50 for the COW. Now if we allow $15
for feed, and SIS for the care Of the cows
through the year, we have net $40: In
Illinois and Wisconsin the farmers claim
that the manure from cow will pay for
her,care; and if we reckon it that way in