Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-05-25
Do Not Neglect the Young Calf.

Il DS iNoe ANS6aS$s tuS hVouS SoAAs
Success in dairy farming depends in
no small measure upon the careful rear
ing of calves. When the milk produced
forms the main source OF income, anil
particularly from a city market, winter
dairying, as 1t is frequently called, usual
ly proves the most profitable practice
for the dairy farmer to follow. Cater.
ing to this trade, the farmer, as rule,
has his cows freshening in the early or
late fall, depending 10 bis particular case
on his fall work. In the event Of these
conditions being all carefully planned,
we are practically in the midst OF time
| when the farmer must exercise extreme
care in the very important part OF the
calf's life.
The care and treatment calf receives
undoubtedly has a great effect upon its
future condition, and in view OF the fact
that modern circumstances necessitate
such efficiency in all business enterprises
the dairy farmer must necessarily have
each individual In his herd developed
and working to its fullest capacity In or.
der to manufacture his article, milk, as
cheaply as possible. Agreeing, then,
that calfhood treatment affects the de-
velopment of cows, il would certainly be
short sig hted policy to allow the calves
and young stock only meagre treatment.
Thin, undersized and stunted calves will
result in cows of the same relative value,
consequently the time to commence de-
veloping the dairy cows for your herd is
in their calthood, Immediately after
birth.
We must remember that calf when
born, although member of the bovine
species, is nevertheless small and tender,
and will respond to kind and proper
treatment equally as we'll as young indi.
viduals of any other species. The old
saying that the calf should always re-
ceive its mothers milk Is perfectly true,
and as the calf grows and develops, any
changes in either quantity or quality OF
feed should be made very gradually.
The first milk of the COW after calving is
called the "colostrum." 1t is important
TO feed this milk to the calf, since II
seems 10 act as ar excellent stimulant
and starts the digestive organs properly.
The young calf should receive its moth
er's milk for at least two or two and
half weeks, aud from that time the
whole milk should be gradually replaced
by skim milk. The one important in
gredient that Is lacking in skim milk is
the fat, and experience has shown that
this fat can be more economically sup
piled by the addition of some meal or
calf feed rather than feeding the fat as 1t
exists in the whole milk, since there Is
such steady market for the butterfat
obtained in milk. Substituting whole
milk with skim milk, gradually increas-
ing the amount as the calf grows older,
and substituting the fat in whole milk
by means of the addition of little calf
meal, when properly carried out makes
an economical basis for the feeder to
follow.
The earlier the calf is taken from the
COW, the quicker will it become accus-
toned to drink from the bucket. Stock
men differ on this subject, but it has
been found that the calf does equally as
well IL taken away from the COW imme-
diately. For the first two weeks, ten to
twelve pounds of milk per day is quite
sufficient for good sized, vigorous calf,
while a small calf would do nicely on
eight pounds per day. Another very
important factor is the temperature OF
the milk. Nature provides a sweet,
warm drink to the calf, and that should
be the aim of the feeder when feeding
from the bucket. Nothing will disturb
the sensitive digestive organs of the
young calf more quickly than to get
warm milk one day and cold milk an
other, or stale-tssting milk one day and
fresh, sweet milk another. The best re-
suits are obtained by regular feeding Of
rather warm milk, although in the
warm seasons, and as the calf grows old
or. milk can be fed little cooler.
The calf should be allowed to nibble
at little dry grain and hay as soon as
ii will, but at no time should large
quantities Of these feeds be put within
it's reach and allowed to remain there.
Sweet wholesome food, and timely, care
full attention, always keeping them In
thrifty growing condition, should deve!-
op and prepare fall calves admirably for
the coming season on grsss.-A. X. Ness,
It A al