The Sauk Centre herald., 1911-12-28
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. 1t
too often happens that the young
stock is neglected, and does not re-
ceive the proper feed and shelter for
it's development. In too many cases
the young cattle and yearling colts are
compelled to depend on the straw pile
for a 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 leeds. but they should at
least have something, in the form of
nitrogenous feeds, t, keep them in a
thrifty and growing condition. One OF
the secrets of developing young AMI
mails of any kind 50 that they shall {
mature at an early age and haye5J re
when matured, is to keep them. y a
growing condition from the time xhey
are born, until mature. 1t is curing
the first year and half or two years
of an animals life that it lfequires
feeds that will build up the yoone and
muscle which are necessary for the
growth of animals of any kind. 1t viii
often pay to give small amount of
grain feeds to young animals, even
though it may seem at the tdme a cost
| ", xu;11 in, ho
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 If starved, TO
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-
tion 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 roughly constructed
shed, with a 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 it 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 a
desirable workhorse cannot be de-
veloped from young animal that is
neglected during the first two years
of its life
If young animals were kept under
more favorable conditions, it would
materially increase the value Of the
stock sold for slaughtering purposes,
because of its better finish and de-
velopment; 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 im-
prove the grade CT horses found ON SO
many farms at present. Progress in
breeding better live stock viii be slow,
until we Pay mere attention TO the
proper development of our you2g ami
mails by better feeding.