The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-04
CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE
HERD BULL.
He's Half the Herd, and Success Depends
on Him.

on Him.
To spend $3.50 to $500 on fine regis
tered bull and then allow him to stand
in a box STALL or stanchion, until he
becomes bad.tempered and unmanage-
able from lack of exercise, and also per-
haps too heavy to use, is not only I'M
pardonabe extravaganza, but is very
detrimental to the Improvement of the
entire herd. The old saying that "the
bull is half the herd" should be kept
well in mind and also that every calf
added to the herd takes half its blood
from the bull; where there is a grade
herd, the success of the grading up"
process will depend entirely on the bull.
The grade dam may be relied upon to
give size, form, constitution, and capaci.
ty of production to her heifer calf; its
dairy quality, inbred power to increase
the richness Of milk, however, is derived
from the pure-bred sire.
Buying the Bull.
Bull calves may be purchased at mod
crate prices and are, of course easier
to handle at that early age, but it is
good advice to purchase a bull of some
age whose calves prove his value as
breeder, rather than q calf of exception
al pedigree; and to the owner having a
sire of proved worth il is advisable to
keep him and use him for years or as
long as he shows himself potent. The
chief objection made to bulls Of some
age is that they are inclined to be dan
gerous In all breeds there will be
Il I'LL Il.v I..I
pered, but the majority of the dairy
breeds may be safely kept until too old
for service if properly raised and care
fully handled. Accustom the bull to be
handled from ealfhood, but discourage
all playfulness. Give him kind, firm,
quiet, and unvarying treatment, always
keeping him under subsection in order
that he may never know his full
strength. Before year old, the ring
should be inserted in his nose and re-
newed often enough TO be always strong.
As the youngster develops strength, he
should be led and handled with a staff,
and made to mind promptly when spok-
en- too The bull should never be al
lowed at large in either a pasture or
yard, although given plenty of regular .
exercise under restraint and absolute 4
control There is no better way of pro-
viding exercise than on a tread power
with governor attached here the bull
should be made to walk daily for fixed
time and certain distance. II is quite
customary to use the bull TO supply pow
er for cutting silage, or wood, or run
ming the separator, etc. As the bull
grows in strength and size, the staff
should be supplemented by a strap chain,
Or rope fastened to second ring, and
L may further be advisable TO add
eading chain with strong straps around
The horns or neck. If uneaslness and
temper are shown, the exercise should
Dc increased, both as TO quantity and
luality The animal win be more con-
.ented If kept where he can see the herd
turing the winter, and at milking time
N summer. Like the cows, the head Of
he herd should be cleaned and brushed
'egularly every day. As so feed, never
Ikimp the bull; provide a good, wholc-s
lome ration Of bran, ground oats, Az
little corn meal. oil meal, and silage or
cots, and, Of course, salt and water in
abundance.
Copyright, 1914. By r. r. Psrkinson-An
rights reserved.l