The Ordway new era., 1917-07-06
Dairy Farming
and Its Benefits

Although the investment is great
er, there is greater certainty of good
results If mature cows are bought
which show what can be expected of
them, If they have not already made
a record, than If calves or undevelop-
ed heifers are selected. 1t is also
economy, having chosen the right
breed, to purchase good representa-
tives of that breed, rather than be
content with only average or even or
dinary animals. Successful dairying
has proved that the greater profit
comes from the best cows, whatever
their kind. This is as true of pure
bred or registered stock as of COM
mon cows. 1t is better to pay $500
for three excellent cows than to pay
the same sum for four good cows or
five which are only fair. A really
superior dairy COW of a superior fam
lily, with pedigree which gives assus-
ance of calves equal to the dam, II
not better, is always worth a large
price. Such an animal adds much to
the average value of any dairy herd.
In buying registered cattle deal only
with men of reputation as breeders
and of strict integrity. 1.-The best
part of a pedigree is the name of the
breeder"
THE BULL AND HIS TREATMENT
Selection of the Bull-With any
dairyman who depends upon breed
ing and rearing calves for the main
| tenance of his herd and its improve
ment. the choice of bull is a matter
of prime importance. The bull is con-
stantly referred to as "the head" of
the herd, and that trite saying, THE
bull is half the herd" should never
be forgotten. Every calf added to
the herd takes half its blood from the
bull. Often this is the more impor-
tant half. The bull is always the
main dependence for raising the
average quality of the herd. and
should be chosen with this object in
view. This is especially true IL the
cows are grades and grading up Is
in progress. The grade dam may be
selected and largely relied upon to
give size, form, constitution, and cap
acity OF production to her heifer calf;
its dairy quality, the inbred power to
increase the richness of milk, is de-
rived from the purebred sire. One
cow may prove a poor dam, or
fail to breed, and still give profit
in milk. Such loss is comparative
| ly trivial and the fault easily correct
ed. But If the bull fails. or proves a
poor sire. the entire increase OF a
GET THE BEST BULL
year may be lost. In getting bull
get the best; or at least approach
that standard as nearly as possible.
Make study of the animals pedi-
gree and the dairy history of his an
cestors, and especially of the females
among his nearest kin. Then see
that the good qualities of his progen-
itors appear to be reproduced in the
animal in question. A common error
among dairymen is to use immature
bulls and to dispose of good ones be-
fore their merit as sires has been
fairly proven. Bull calves are cheap
and young bulls are considered much
easier to handle. But 1t is good ad-
vice to the buyer to purchase bull
of some age, whose progeny prove his
value as a breeder. rather than calf
of exceptional pedigree; and to the
owner, having a sire Of proved excel
lence. to keep him and use him for
years, or as long as he shows himself
potent and repotent. (of course the
question of too close inbreeding is
not forgotten and must not be over
looked by the breeder.) The writer
is thorough believer in the use of
mature bulls Of known value as sires.
| Temperament--Th chief objection
made to bulls of some age is that they
are likely to be vicious and danger
Gus. Everyone recognizes the differ
erence in temper ment between the
fieshy, beefy bull and the one Of pro-
nounced dairy character; but expert
ence and observation have taught
that the bulls of marked dairy type
are much alike in disposition, regard
less of breed. In all the breeds las
among men) some bulls will be found
of naturally bad temper, but 1t Is be-
lieved that the great majority Of
bulls of all the dairy breeds can be
safely kept until too old for service
and handled without serious trouble,
II only properly reared and judi
ciously managed.
Control and Exercise-In rearing .
ball, accustom II to being handled