The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-02-07
BIGGER CALF CROPS.
Increased Production of Cattle on South
western Ranges.


ice have succeeded in improving the quail
ty of the range aud have develope,
methods of handling cattle which resul
in reduced losses and bigger calf crop
is told in preliminary report OF tn
studies being made at the Jorand,
range reserve in New Mexico, issued a!
bulletin SOS of the United States de
partment of agriculture.
| While the studies are as yet incom
| plete,, it is stated that as result OF
! the improved methods grams grass range
on the reserve has improved 50 per cent
| in comparison with areas on which the
grazing was uncontrolled A system OF
stoek-watering places has aided in the
| utilization of the range, while care in
handling cattle, the gradual improve.
ment of the herds, and vaccination
against backlog have resulted in a larg-
er calf crop. increased returns from sales
and lower losses
The Jorando range reserve contains
about 100000 acres. 1t was created in
1912 to secure complete range unit for
carrying on range experiments and is in
charge of the grazing experts of the for
est service. who are cooperating with a
private cattle owner.
Light Grazing Improves Range.
The Improvement in the range was Sc
cured, the report states, primarily by
light grazing during the four months
July to October when the grass is max
ing its growth, by not over grazing dur
ing the other eight months, and by a
better, distribution of stock watering
places. Light grazing on ranges OF the
southwest is profitable, the studies have
shown. 1t will probably not reduce the
total animal days feed furnished on a
given area during the year and will re.
serve feed for the critical period from
February to July and later I'M case OF
prolonged drought Where the whole
grass about e-third Of the area should
probably be reserved during the grow
ing season for two years in succession.
Emphasis is laid on the Importance of
developing a system of watering places
Where stock do not have to travel more
than 2ja miles to water, fairly efficient
use OF plains and mesa range in the
southwest can be secured. This means
that there should be one permanent and
dependable watering place for about b.
200 acres. Such an acreage of gTams
grass range will carry about 500 cattle |
the year if properly man
aged. Wherever the distance between |
water holes is in excess of 81 miles, |
Of the range becomes less eff |
eient. Where il can be done the con |
struc, ion of tanks to supplement the I
permanent watering places win be a pay
ing investment.
Increase in Calf Crop.
From selected herd of 800 cows and /
20 bulls, which was held in pasture
away from other stock, an 81 per cent
'alf crop was branded in 1916. From
he remaining ! 522 cows of breeding age /
IN the reserve, a 69.2 per cent calf crop |
vas branded The average calf crop for 4
he reserve was - per cent 1t is doubt j
al whether the calf crop on sdioin-
ng underlined range IN 1916 reached
% per cent, and this figure is believed
o be high average
About 30 pounds OF cottonseed cake
er COW head was fed TO the special herd
his is believed to have contributed
argely to the added number of calves.
he big opportunity for increasing the
ali crop. says the report, is to keep
DOR cows in thrifty condition +
mall Loss Partly Due to BlackIeg Vac
cination.
The average loss OF stock on the 10. I
ando range reserve in 1916 was Is per
ent. The average losses for New Mex
% are approximately 1916 per cent for /
ilNes mp TO l. months OF age, &c per
Rnt for yearlings, and SIS per cent Of /
Their stock. The small loss ON the rc- i
erYe Is attributed to careful SYSTEM :
tie vaccination against blackleg, the 1 !
sservation of grams grass range for :
oor stock during the critical spring
louths- 10 the feed the animals received.
nj to prevention of straying. In ex. :
'emely bad years some Kind Of rough
ge 10 supplement the range forage. for
'edlng with cottonsecd cake or other
feed, would he decided adj
lntage on southwestern ranges. In "
iage from soap weed has been tried i
. the Jorsndo reserve and tks results
-e promising. but not extensive enough :
j warrant definite conclusion.
The studies have shown withou; eouhl.
le report states. that the possibiiifics
Y decreasing losscs justify stoclmen Of
e -ouih Invest iu paying more attention s.
vaccination a. . preventive 81 black Il
z and - picking out and feeding stock
need II special care. 4