Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1914-04-29

The first step In the selection of a
heller suitable for the dairy herd Is to
take into consideration both her sire
and dam. especially the sire, as his
traits are more apt to be dominant
than that Of the dam.
Both parent stock should bc of good
dairy strain. II either Of them possess
strong blood from any other breed.
the offspring is very liable to inherit
the characteristics of the beef type
and be utterly UNIT for dairy purposes.
Having ascertained that the heifer's
breeding is suitable. her individual
traits next should be considered.
Choose the heifer with q trim. we'll
formed head. wide between the eyes;
large. dilated nostrils. denoting deep
respiration; lsrse. brilliant eyes. sus.
gestive Of highly nervous tempera-
ment and conae;uent heavy milk dow;
thin. tapering shoulders and good
depth to foreQuarters. trim shanks
on both fore and hind legs.
See that the milk veins. Immediately
in front Of and leading TO the
udder are large and prominent, the
ribs long and convex to admit Of good
feeding capacity and proper calvins
space.
The hindquarters should be taperins
and somewhat sharp at the hip and
back bones. rather than plump and
round a. in. the beef type OF cattle.
There should be an ample space for
a large udder. the hind legs being
spread we'll apart. the TANKS being
wide and extending we'll up on each
side.
One should begin with tho calf to
teach the future dairy COW to be
handled.
She II not only easier to train at this
age. but she will be 90 much easier 70
handle than after she drops her first
calf at three years old; besides q gen.
tie. tractable milch COW Ia more apt
to be a heavy milk producer than II
she Is unruly and difficult to handle.
We slip the halter on the calf before
she is a yearling-often before she Ia
month old-then. by slow degrees,
teach her to lead. In only a very
short time till she will lead any
where. stand tied and be Of even less
trouble than the older cows and
horses.
We also teach the heifer to be ap-
preached from either side-no right
side" for us to milk from after she
comes fresh.
She is also petted and rubbed about
the hanks and around the udder to
accustom her to milking when the
time comes. These are all important
items In handling and will mean a
saving of much time and patience at
the first caiving.
II the heifer Ia allowed to run out
with the common herd. eat the same
food and receive the game care, she
is more than apt TO be no better for
milking purposes than the other
heifers.
We keep the dairy heifer in a snug.
warm place during the severe
weather. bed her well at night, keep
her stall clean and sanitary and give
her an occasional currying and brush
ing You practise this method with
the colts--why not with the future
milch COW?
We feed the future dairy COW with
tho thought In mind that every tissue
Of her body should be nourished and
developed In the manner which will
promote milk-production. since this 10
what will be required Of her after
maturity is reached. II the dairy COW
IL fed only those rations which pro-
duce fat and flesh. we must expect
her to develop into q beef type of
animal
While practically the same feed
given a dairy COW will prove salts
factory to the dairy heifer. the rations
should be somewhat milder and
tighter, Of course. depending upon the
size and age and appetite Of the calf.
Clean, bright corn fodder. clover and
alfalfa make excellent roughase. while
che milder grains and bought feeds.
such 40 oats. cracked wheat bran.
oilmeal. ETC.. should form . goodiy
portion OF the daily feed.
Corn chop should b made about
one-third the regular ration. especially
in the winter. % II will be required to
maintain body heat and 10 an excellent
fiAsh promoter.
Az to the amount Of grain or chop
feed given the calf. for one Of ordi-
nary size We allow about one-half
gallon morning and night. little over
half Of II being such laxative feeds ~
oats and bran. or oats and oilmeal.
tho balance being corn chop or shelled
corn.
We have fed some corn and cob
chvp to such calves, but this 10 not 70