Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-10-11
To Make Baby Beef.
SUCCESSFUL METHODS EMPLOYED AT
NEBRASKA UNIVERSITY STATION.

For the production of baby beef calves
which have been allowed whole milk
fresh from the COW are more suitable
because they are in better flesh at wean-
ing time. Such calves should be fed
grain just as soon as they can be en-
couraged to eat. A mixture consisting
of one half whole oats, One-quarter bran
and one-quarter shelled corn is very
satisfactory for young calves receiving
milk. Whole grain is ordinarily more
attractive to young calves than ground
grain. The whole grain is always fresh,
while the ground grain is sometimes
tainted from exposure to the air.
Shelled corn is brittle and easily crack
ed BY young calves, which seem fond of
nibbling it. Probably no grain is more
relshed by them, regardless of the fact
that it is too starchy for their good
when fed alone. Bran, rich in protein,
offsets the starchy corn, and, with oats
supplies sufficient bulk to satisfy the
craving for something bulky to develop
the Illuminating powers. Bran is also an
excellent bowel regulator useful In con-
nection with a milk diet. Oats tend to
check scours in all animals. No single
food is more satisfactory to supplement
milk for growing calves than whole oats.
The mixture of the three foods is more
satisfactory. If bran is not available
one half the same quantity of oil meal
could be used, instead.
Grain feeding before weaving not
only saves milk, but, more than that, it
lessons the shrinkage which is likely to
follow weaving. By permitting the calf
to drink but once day before weaving
entirely from the cow, full feeding on
grain at the time, very little shrinkage
is occasiOned when the milk is withdrawn
entirely. The secret of feeding after
weaving time is to hold the milk flesh
and keep the calf putting more on top.
At this age it is natural for calf to de-
velop frame. If flesh and fat are to
keep pace with this bone development,
heavy grain feeding is the only course
to pursue. All the grain the calf can be
made to consume without taking the
edge off his appetite is the safest rule to
follow. This is where skill and watch
fulness are rewarded. At this stage the
calf will stand more corn, equal parts OF
corn, oats and bran.
With spring calves a late summer pas
ture of bluegrass will furnish any pro-
tein lacking in the grain ration. If no
bluegrass pasture is available and the
calves are stable fed the roughness should
consist very largely of clover or alfalfa,
since both of these plants are rich in
protein and are relished by calves. In
producing baby beef there should be no
cessation of heavy grain feeding. The
first winter corn should be increased to
form at least half the grain ration. If
oats are high in price, as they usually
are in comparison with corn, it is better
economy to feed three-quarters corn and
one-quarter bran, or, il bran is high,
seven-eighths corn and one-eighth oil
meal. Should the roughness consist in
part of corn stover, timothy or prairie
hay, somewhat less corn and a little
more bran or oil meal should be used,
since such forms of roughuess as corn
are too starchy. All the rough feed
such beeves will take should he supplied.