The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-09-09

ed When Calf, Mainly for Lack Of
Suitable Food, but When Given
Adequate Feed and Proper Care De-
veioped Rapidly and Later Took
First Prize in His Class at the State
Fair
specialists consider 1t dependable, for
the replies have been received from a
large proportion of farms on the ac-
credited-herd list (having cattle free
from tuberculosis), and most of the
remainder are from farms whose own
ers are cooperating with the Depart
ment of Agriculture and state agricul-
tural colleges in the Better Sires--
Better Stock" campaign. Those who
answered the questionable are, there
fore, interested in the control of dis
ease and the Improvement in quality
of domestic animals, and, In general,
are progressive live stock owners.
In addition to the three PRINCIPAL
causes of runtiness previously men,
toned, the reports show that there
are numerous other contributing
causes. A summary Of the opinions
| from 1888 live stock owners shows that
the principal causes of runty live
stock are: Inferior breeding, 31.6 per
cent; inadequate or unsuitable feed,
80.4 per cent; parasites and insect
pests, 15.1 per cent inadequate hous-
| ing and care, 12.4 per cent; contagious
diseases, 40 per cent; exposure, %
| per cent; accident, 10 per cent other
causes, IT per ceLt. 1t appears that
the breeding of well-selected purebred
stock produces very few understood
animals, but that with scrubs-espe-
cially when inbred-the percentage of
runty stock is high.
The reports show that runtiness Is
most prevalent among hogs, the aver
age percentage reported being 10.1.
This. moreover, includes number Of
farms which reported no runts at all.
One farmer who Is breeding good,
purebred hogs and feeding them a
variety and plenty Of feed, states !:
"We have not had runty pig In two
, years, although the filters sometimes
contain from 8 to II pigs EACH"
The results Of the inquiry indicate
that the size Of an animal Of good
breeding at birth has but little rela-
ton to the mature weight where prop
er feed, care and management are
provided. This Is shown in num-
Der Of cases of successful hog raisers
who report that lack Of uniformity In
fairly large filters has been overcome
by proper feeding. A cattle breeder
in Montana reports that proper feed
Ing and care Of runty animal re
! suited in developing 1t to such finish
4 that 1t took first prize in It's class al
& the state fair.
1t appears from summary Of 929
reports that u comparatively small
c number of animals are born runty
Z and that most stunning of growth be
gins relatively short time befor,
weaving, or soon afterwards. Nor,
/ than so per cent of runty live stool
!, appears during infancy or befor,
/ weaving, according to reports, Will
I 80 per cent shortly after weaving. an,
d only A per cent at birth.
II In reply to a question on the prac
5 ticability OF raising runts to marke
IN size "A per cent of the replies indicat
4 that 1t Is not profitable, IA per cen
i answered either yes, or yes with qua
d. ihcations. Comments show that
i, well-bred animal, even though under
. sized, will develop into just as goo
Ia an animal when 1t is given an equs
:, chance. with Inherited runtines
/, due 10 inferior breeding" one stool
=, man declared, ut does not pay. oths
cases due to lack Of proper feed ms
be raised with profit"