The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-11-23
The Care Of
Young Stock.
BY w. n. Tomhave, Extension
Division, Minnesota AgricuI-
tural College.
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i
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
its 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 CT
expensive feeds, but they should at
| least have something, in the form of
heterogeneous feeds, to keep them in a
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 1t will
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 can
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
a large extent, during the latter part
of the first year. If they are kept I'M
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
weather, or snow storms-must be
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 it will
h,or Ia 70 fotf tho Oh fO1I
ing the second year on pasture, and
have them weigh as much and bring
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-
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 i'm
prove the grade of horses found on so
many farms at present. Progress in
breeding better live stock will be slow,
until we pay more attention to the
proper. development of our young ami
mails by better feeding.