The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-07-19

as soon after JANUARY first as posi-
BILE, in order that they may have a
long period of growth before entry
In the senior and junior classes re
spectively.
On the farm where show animals
are not produced. COWS are usually
bred as soon as they come in heat
after calving.
Grain feeding is not essential pre-
vious to breeding, but it is desirable
to have the cows gaining slightly in
weight at breeding time. If cows
are bred during the winter for fall
calving. they may be fed silage or
leguminous hay; II they are bred on
pasture for spring calving, no other
feed is necessary.
CARE AND FEEDING AT CALYING
TIME
The breeder of purehreds wiz
know when the COW is due to calye
and prepare accordingly; whenever
possible a record should be kept of
when the calf Is due.
Cows served while on pasture, in
most cases, will calve while on pas
ture This is the ideal place for the
COW to calve, and little care will be
necessary except in unusual cases.
The most desirable place for calving
in the winter is a clean box stall to
which the cow has become accus
toned The cow should have abun-
dant exercise and water at all times.
Corn, barley, or other carbohydrate
feeds should be excluded from the
ration, and bran mash should be the
only feed for twenty-four hours be-
fore calving. Plenty of cool, fresh
water should be given. Assistance
may be rendered in cases of difficult
parturition. but this is seldom neces-
safy If the cow has been properly fed
and given opportunity for exercise
during pregnancy.
SUMMER CARE AND MANAGEMENT
OF THE cows AND, CALVES
The care of the COWS and calves
during the. summer depends largely
on the purpose for which the calves
are to be kept. In all cases maxi
mum use OF pasture should be made,
and, unless the calves are being
raised for some special purpose, the
milk of the cow together with pas
ture will furnish the feed of the calf
during the first summer.
Breeding herds for the production
of feeder and stocker cattle require
little attention during the summer.
Cows, calves, and bull may be turned
on pasture and allowed to remain
there until the pasture freezes in the
fall. They need only be visited oc-
casionally to see that they are not In
need of grass or water and to give
them salt. Such cattle need no adj
dtional feed SO long as they have
plenty of grass.
IL calves are to be exhibited at
fairs or are to be sold at an early
age as breeding stock, or as baby
beeves. they need special manage
merit The simplss method of
forcing calves Is to allow them to
run with the cows on pasture and
have access to a creep where they
can help themselves to salt, grain
mixture, and clean bright clover hay.
The following method is more COM
plicated yet gives more rapid gains
and permits more careful prepare
ton. especially for show cattle and
sale cattle. After the calves are
two weeks old, they are removed from
the cows. placed in grassy paddock
where there is abundant grass. shade
and water, and allowed to nurse the
cows three times a day. This Is
continued for from two to four weeks,
after which the COWS are allowed to
run with the cows at night During
the day the calves have access to
salt, grain mixture, and clover hay.
A grain mixture suitable for this
purpose Is composed by measure, of
two parts cornmeal, one part oats, and
one part bran.
Calves should be broken to halter
at this time as 1t will save time and
trouble In handling later on.
Male calves that are not to be kept
for breeding purposes should be cas-
trated at about two weeks of age.
THE COWS DURING WINTER
The four principle advantages in
the production Of beef are: ~ in
expensive buildings and equipment
are required, ca only cheap rough
ages and feeds are necessary, (3)
home grown feed may furnish over.
ninety-five per cent of the ration,
and (4 only q small amount of un-
skilled labor is necessary to handle
a large herd, These points should be
kept in mind especially in the man.
agement and feeding of beef cows
during the winter.
The buildings used should be In
expensive. The chief requirements
are that they be tight overhead and
on the north, east and west, open on
the south and dry underfoot.' Nature
has provided beef animals with
thick. furry coat of hair and, sub
cutaneous layer of fat that furnish
ample warmth during the winter If
the cattle have dry place in which
to be where they are protected from
cold winds, and especially from snow
and sleet. A shed opening to the
south. the basement of barn, or any
other building possessing these re-
quirements should serve the purpose.
The principal difficulties encoun-
tered by beef producers in this Sec
tion In the past were due to housing
the cattle too closely and the feeding
of expensive mill" feeds. The feed
racks and praip hunka ahouJd bo