Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-03
Summer Care Of Calves,

Young calves to do we'll thru the
summer months should be protected
from the fierce rays of the sun Also
something must be done to protect
against the hordes of flies which make
life continual torment to live stock
in hot weather.
The pasture lot devoted to young
calves is usually quite near the barn on
account of convenience for feeding. II
not we'll shaded by trees it is wise to
arrange an entrance where the calves
may seek secluson in some shed or
stable which will keep out the heat as
we'll as the flies, which rarely infest
darkened stable in any great number.
II 1t could be impressed more firmly
upon farmers who keep young stock
that it pays to feed generously so as
to secure a thrifty growth, we would
see fewer scr ny, half-fed pigs, calves
and colts, and the quality of our do
este animals would steadily improve.
Too often the question seems to be how
to keep them alive onothe least possible
amount Of feed.
Unless the pasture is exceptionally
good choice clover hay will be relished
by the calves in addition to the grass.
Even when given milk night and morn
ing a supply of fresh water should be
provided The eagerness with which
two-months- old calf drinks his pail Of
cold water shows his need OF it. al
though sometimes calves hesitate to
touch 1t when first offered them. Once
they get a taste of water they drinF
greedily and will remind all within
sound of their voices when the hour
for water comes around.
Lousy animals cannot thrive. A near
by hen roost will almost invariably re-
suit in the transmittal of mites When
ever calves are allowed to run around
such a building, even though they do
not go inside it. When once they be-
come infested the fact will be mani
tested by their licking themselves In
the effort to get rid of the irritation.
ANY Of the animal dips will be found
effective in destroying the parasites If
thoroughly applied.
In feeding milk each calf should have
it's own portion, and this is impossible
where all are fed together, from a
trough. 1t is worth while to arrange
stalls Of light strips Of lumber, where
each can have its own pail and drink
unmolested These stalls will be con-
venient year after year and Will pay
for themselves many times over in the
increased thriftiness, particularly OF
the Younger animals, which are usual
ly robbed where all are allowed tc
drink together.
Early Maturing.
At the EauClaire, Wis. "Round Up,
Alex A. Arnold, Of Galesville, in dis
cussing the subject of "baby beef"
among other things said:
There is no use of my dwelling on
the established fact that the young
animal makes the most profitable
feeder provided the market demands
that kind of beef and the price is suf-
ficient.
Twenty years ago the eighteen to
twenty-five hundred steer brought the
highest price in the market and cap
tured the first prizes at the fat stock
show. where now the tidy, WELL
rounded, plump, even feshed steers.
weighing twelve to fourteen hundred
mounds, are the kind that command
first prizes, while the nine to twelve
hundred yearling is a close second.
Those that can afford it want nice
tender Juicy meats and not the hard
tal]owy kind, the result Of long feed
ing.
Now if we can get a steer on thu
market when he is from twelve to
sixteen months old and will bring
$3.50 per hundred when the fourteen
to fifteen hundred pound steer from
twenty-four to thirty-six months old
brings six cents, the margin in price
is so small that the profit on the year.
ling may be greater than on the two
year-old. In the first place farmer
that raises his calves, must get them
on the market when they are year
lings. or what are called long year.
lings. else he needs a ranch to carry
all his cattle. If disposed of as year
nngs he has his COWS and the same
number of calves, whereas If he keeps
them until years old he must keep
one third more stock on his farm. The
yearling is disposed Of and the money
in his pocket to be invested in what
ever. he likes The older stock will
eat more roughage; but it costs more
to maintain them as the larger and
older the animal the more 1t costs for
the food of support-and 1t is self-evi-
dent that there is no profit except that
which is utilized by the animal above
his food or support. Steers can be
put on the market when they are
twelve to sixteen months old, II Of the
approved beef type, not finished, that
,y,u .ou for feeders on present mar.