Charlevoix county herald., 1905-01-14
Select Breeds
for the Climate

lect suitable animals for his particu-
lar environment when he buys males
to change the character of his home
stock. In buying a bull the mistake
if often made of selecting one that is
better suited for a warm climate.
whereas he is expected to be most
suitable for cold one. For example,
we saw some thin coated and skinned
bulls not long ago in far northern
district where farmers were seeking
to improve their beef cattle. Such
bulls were out of place, for they
lacked the heavy overcoat necessary
to such bitter climate. On the con-
trary, they would have been comfort
able and valuable farther south, and
there would have given the best re-
suits in breeding. AS a general propo-
sition, we want long, thick, close hair
upon the backs of cattle intended to
be fed in cold climates. This should
be kept in mind when buying bulls
for use in such a district, and it is
folly to buy bulls that have been rails
ed in luxury, fed in warm barns
and bred in such an environment that
they no longer grow the heavy winter
overcoat that all cattle grew origi-
nally in state of nature The West
Highland and Galloway breeds of
Scottish beef cattle are particularly
noted for their great coats of messy
hair under an outer long-haired cover
ing. They were originally bred in
rigorous climates where they had to
Withstand a great deal of wet as well
as snow and bitter cold Their origi-
nal habitat was also extremely windy
and barren. In such an environment
heavy coats were necessary, and with
out them the cattle would have per-
ished. Nature provided the require
ments of the case, and doubtless will
always Go so in time In modern
breeding operations, however, the
breeder cannot afford to leave such
matters to nature. 1t is better policy
to start right with cattle fitted for a
special environment. If a long coat
is needed, use bulls of heavily
coated breed. If short coat and thin
hide are considered best, as, for in
stance, in warm climates where shell
ter is never necessary, and where a
heavy coat would be a burden, there
are cattle especially suited for such
circumstances, and these should be
favored rather than the ones selected
for the far north. This would seem
to be very simple and sensible argli-
ment, but, looking around, we find
that it is commonly ignored in start |
ing in the improved cattle business.
If this is not so, why do we find herds |
of every known breed of beef cattle |
in the far north-in one county, OF in
any small distrinct? One breed OF
these is doubtless suited for the par
ticular district in which it is found, |
but what Of the others? One breed |
would be enough for the farmers of |
the given district, and they would |
make reputation for that variety of |
suitable stock, and so in time COM
mand profitable prices and a steady |
demand AT the same time the other |
breeds would do better elsewhere, |
and, If used in their proper environ
ment, would give ideal results and |
satisfaction.
Besides looking for heavy coats in |
cattle intended for cold climates, it is |
important to select animals showing |
other signs of robustness. One would |
do we'll to avoid cattle with long mar
row faces, narrow chests, small heart |
girth, long legs and cut-up TANKS, or
any one of these bad points in the |
make up of feeder. Choose the bull |
that is low down and blocky, on |
strong, short, strengthened legs, with |
a big heart-girth and little if any de-
preston back of the shoulders or at |
the chine. See to ii that he has
straight underline and well sprung
ribs. If he has he is not only robust |
but a good feeder and the exact oppo-
site of the bull that is very long in
body. cut up in the flank like a grey
hound and always looking for good
food that fails. to put meat upon his
back. Sometimes the heavy coat OF
hair cloaks a multitude of bad points
in conformation. See to il, then, that |
there is both good coat and the |
combination of other good points we
have referred to. Lastly, remember
the Importance of selecting cattle suit
able to a given district, and often
these cattle are the ones already pre-
dominating there. This being the |
case, ii is mistake to go far away |
from home for breeding stock, pro-
vided suitable ones can be found near
at hand.-A. s. Alexander in Farmers
Review.