The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-10-20
CARE OF THE FALL
FREShEN|NG COW
Many Advantages Of Fall Fresh
ening, for Both Cow and
Calf.
BY H. E. McNatt, Dairyman.

BY H. E. McNatt, Dairyman.
1t seems that there are a number of
advantages in having the dairy COW
drop her calf in the fall Of the year.
Among these advantages may be men,
toned:
The dry period of the COW comedies
with the dry period Of the year, and
hence the loss of milk is small.
The cows are dry, or nearly dry,
during the time Of much pressing
farm work.
The COW is not milking heavily dur
ing the fly season.
The largest flow of milk comes
when the price is highest, or is at
least on the upward trend.
The declining milk flow receives the
stimulus of next springs grass, which
should result in greater yearly yield.
The calf can be kept growing nicely
by hand-feeding during the winter and
then weaned and turned on grass in
the spring without, in the least, check.
ing its growth.
During the first six months of a
calf's life, hay as a roughage is as
good or better than grass.
The young calf is likely to receive
better attention in the winter than in
the summer when field work is press
ing.
AS most heifers come into milk at
about two years of age. fall-dr0pped
heifer is ready to begin producing in
the fall or early winter-the season
when results are best.
Begin Care Early.
The time to begin taking a lively
interest in the freshening COW is from
seven to ten weeks before the calf is
due to arrive. This presupposes. Of
course, that the bull is not allowed to
run with the cows. and that a record
of all breeding operations is kept
From seven to ten weeks before the
calf comes, depending upon the milk
flow and the condition of the animal,
the COW should be dried. This is fire.
quently regarded by experienced
dairymen as a difficult thing to do,
especially if the COW is heavy and
persistent mixer. However, If the
feed is severely cut down, especially
the grain, and the COW is taken of
pasture for a time and fed only lin
tied amount of mesquite, mixed, or
grain hay, she may be quickly dried
Chn O a nnrCi0fnnt
During this period of short rations, the
cow should be only partially MIXED
out for couple or three days, then
MIXED once every two days for few
days will, in practically all cases, dry
the animal without causing any udder
trouble whatsoever.
A cow should have at least six
weeks rest in a dry condition before
the calf is born. If she is young,
growing animal, or is thin In flesh,
this time may well be extended to
eight or even ten weeks.
Such a rest with good feeding will
permit the animal to put on some
flesh, to grow, to restore depleted min
eral matter to her body, and to re-
cuperate nervous power for the period
of milk production which lies just
ahead of her. 1t will also permit her
to develop a good calf, and tend to
bring about a normal parturition with
out after trouble.
Several days before calving the COW
should be placed in clean, light, well
bedded box stall, and fed palatable
laxative ration, the grain portion Of
which may well consist of mixture
of mill run or bran and crushed oats,
to which a little oilmeal is added and
the whole made into a mash with
warm water. She should not be heav-
lily fed at this time. Frequently, a
drench of ~ pounds of epson salts
plus two tablespoonfuls Of common
salt in a quart of warm water will
produce favorable results when given
couple or three days before calving.
She should be led out twice each day
for some exercise SO as to keep her
in good condition and contented.
Ordinarily, little trouble is expert.
enced during the birth of the calf, but
this fact should not serve as an ex-
cuse for neglecting the COW. When
she needs assistance in expelling the
calf, it should be given promptly but
gently. The greatest care should be
taken to avoid bruising the mother.
1t should be kept in mind that this is
critical time in the cows life. Much
of her immediate profitableness and
future usefulness hangs in the balance
at this time.
Care After Birth.
After the birth of the calf. IL white
scours or calf cholera has ever been
on the premises, it is we'll immediate.
ly to wash the naval region of the calf
with three per cent solution of lysol,
cresol or carbolic acid as a precaution
against the disease. Following this
with tying band Of clean cheese
shown and their general quality, flaw
or, condition, size: color, uniformity
and pack as a commercial PROPOSE
ton: 20 per cent Of total score al