Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-10-17
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Fattening Beef
Calves on Grain
More Skill Required Than Is
Necessary in Preparing
Older Animals. =.

prepared by the United States Department
d Asficuiture.l
During recent years live stock mar.
kets have experienced a constantly In
ereasing demand for well-fattened beef
animals weighing from 500 TO 1900
pounds and this demand, says the
United States Department Of Agricul-
ture, must necessarily be supplied by
oeeves from twelve to twenty months
old. The fattening Of this class Of
beeyes requires more skill than. Is
necessary in the production Of AMI
mails marketed at more mature ages,
on account Of their tendency to grow
rather than to fatten.
Various Phases Of Problem.
The various phases of the problem
OF fattening calves for market is
dealt with in Farmers Bulletin 14l6,
Fattening Beef Calves, Just issued by
the United States Department Of Ag-
riculture. including discussions on how
to procure calves to be fattened as
yearlings, type Of calves suitable for
fattening, breeds suitable, Importance
Of good cows and bulls, management
OF the farm breeding herd, differences
In methods OF feeding fall and spring
calves, feeding the calf from birth to
weaving time, dehorning, castratlon,
vaccination, equipment and shelter,
and marketing.
Unless the cows in the herd are ex-
ceptional mixers, calves Intended for
fat yearllngs should be started on
corn, katlr, milo barley, wheat, or
oats, when from four to six weeks
old, says the bulletin. Nothing so
stimulates the growth and early ma
turity as milk fresh from the dam,
but in all cases calves should be fed
literally on grain for at least one
month before weaving time. Every
effort should be made to get the calves
through the weaving period without
loss of their baby fat. The grain ra-
tlon should be increased so as to per
NIT as little change in their rate of
growth and fattenlng as possible.
Some feeders build "creeps" in the
pastures or lots so that the calves
can get their grain without disturb
ance by the cows. Creeps consist Of
small pens with openings which per-
NIT only the calves to enter. These
openings may have rollers on each
side to prevent bruising the calves.
Problem Of WEAVING.
Calves from heavy-milking cows
should be weaned gradually. If they
are running with the cows the wean-
ing should be begun by keeping them
up aud allowing them to suck only
twice each day for five or six days,
after which they should be allowed to
suck but once each day for a similar
period. Then one days sucking may
be omitted, and later two days. Thus
the entire weaving takes ten to fifteen
days. The calves Of cows giving lit
tie milk should be weaned abruptly
by separating them as far as possible
Fall calves should not be weaned
until after the cows and calves are on
grass. Spring calves should either be
kept on grass after weaving in the
fall or be given some succulent feed,
such as silage. It is advisable to pro-
vide them with winter pasture, such
as wheat, oats, rye, or barley, when
soil and climatic conditions permit
A copy OF the bulletin may be Sc
cured, as long as the supply lasts, free
upon request from the United States
Department Of Agriculture,