Morris tribune., 1911-12-22
The Care Of
Young Stock.
BY w. n. Tomhave, Extension
Division, Minnesota Agricul-
turai College.
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The conditions under which most of
the young stock on the average farm
is kept during the winter months. in
many sections, are not OF the best It
too often happens that the young
stock 10 neglected. and does not re-
csiye the proper feedssand shelter for
its development. In too many cases
the young cattle and yearling colts are
compelled to depend on the straw pile
for large portion OF the food for
their maintenance and development.
Where stock is kept under such condi-
tions, the best results cannot be ex.
pected. 1t is not necessary to give
stock Of this kind large amount of
expensive feeds, but they should at
least have something, In the form of
nitrogenous feeds, to keep them in
thrifty and growing condition. One of
the secrets of developing young ami
mails of any kind so that they shall
mature at an early age and have size
when matured, is to keep them In a
growing condition from the time they
are born. until mature. 1t is during
the first year and half or two years
of an animals life that it requires
feeds that will build up the bone and
muscle which are necessary for the
growth of animals of any kind It will
often pay.st to give small amount, OF,
grain feeds to young animals, even
though it may seem at the time cost
ly expenditure, yet it will pay in the
end. Well matured individuals cam
not be expected from young animals
that get fairly good start during the
first summers growth, but received
no care and attention during the win
ter. and are stunted or half starved, to
a large extent, during the latter part
of the first year, If they are kept un-
der conditions where they go on pas
ture, the next spring, in poorer condi-
ton than when they left the pasture
in the fall, it not only means a loss of
time, but an actual loss to the farmer.
Shelter of some kind, where the ami :
mails may be kept out of the extremely
cold Weather-and where they may
seek protection during wet, rainy
provided, even though it is nothing
better than a roughly constructed
shed. with strawpile stacked over it,
Where the young stock receives feed
enough to keep it in good growing and
thrifty condition during the first win
ter, it will make gains enough to pay
for all the feed that Is fed; and 1t will
be possible to fatten the steers, follow
ing the second year on pasture, and
have them weigh as much and bring
a better price than where they are
kept until they are coming three-year-
olds.
The same Is true with colts; as
desirable workhorse cannot be de-
yeloped from young animal that is
neglected during the first two years
Of its life.
II young animals were kept under
more favorable conditions, it would
increase the value of the *
stock sold for slaughtering purposes,
because of its better finish and de-
aelopment; and it would also mean
quicker returns to the farmer than are
possible under the conditions which
exist in SO many sections at the pres
ent time. 1t would also greatly i'm.
prove the grade of horses found on SO
many farms at present Progress In
breeding better live stock will be slow.
'ntil We pay more attention to the
proper development of our young ami.
nails by better feeding.