392 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



c.ge, all the whole milk is supplanted by skim-milk. At about three weeks of age the 

 calves are taught to eat bran and oats, and in a week or two later, some pulped mangels 

 and silage are added. After the first month clean water is kept before them all the 

 time. The chop and roots are seasoned with a little salt. Clover hay is kept before 

 them all night. 



The pens are light and well ventilated, clean, and not over-crowded. The calves 

 are allowed into the yard to exercise when the weather is favourable. They are never 

 left out in extreme wet, cold, or heat. 



One thing in which great care has been taken is the cleanliness of the pail from 

 v/hich the calf drinks. These pails are washed after each feed, and although it takes 

 time, it is time well spent. 



The points which we try to keep in mind and practise are: Good food, regulaifly 

 given; light pens, kept clean and dry; and reasonable exercise, with protection from 

 extremes. 



Below is given in detail the average cost of a bunch of calves, grown to 1 year of 

 age. These calves were never fat, biit were always in thrift^', growing condition 

 throughout the entire year. 



COST TO RAISE GRADE HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN HEIFERS. 



First period, 225 days — 



AvcKage weight at birth pounds 72 



Average weight at 225 days " 461-6 



Average gain in weight in 225 days " 389-6 



Average gain in weight per day " 1-7 



Average cost per pound gain cents C -.8 



Food consumed per calf — • 



Whole millf, 8SS pounds at 1-8 cents $ 15 98 



Skim-milk, 2,326 pounds at 25 cents 5 81 



Bran and oats, 44 pounds at 1 cent 440 



Mangels, 160 pounds at -25 cent 40 



Total cost for period of 225 days $ 26 59 



Second period, 140 days — 



Average weight at beginning pounds 461 -6 



Average weight at close " 618-3 



Average gain in weight per period " 176 -7 



Average daily gain per calf " 1-2 



Average cost per pound gain cents 4-4 



Food consumed per calf — ^ 



Silage, 1,365 pounds at .15 cent $ 2 04 



Clover hay, 95 pounds at -5 cent .475 



Green feed, 450 pounds at .15 cents .675 



Bran and oats, 364 pounds at 1 cent 3 CO 



Oil cake, 4G pounds at 2.25 cents 1 03 



Total cost for period of 140 days $ 7 S6 



Total cost for 365 days $ 34 45 



Total gain for 365 days pounds 546-3 



Average daily gain for 1 year " 1-5 



Cost per pound gain for 1 year ►. ..cents 6-3 



VEAL CAftVES. 



Three lots of calves were fed for veal. The ration used was fresh, whole milk. 

 The periods varied from thirty-four to forty-eight days, and the calves used were grade 

 Holstein bulls. Lot 3 contained one calf from a dam that was at least three parts 

 Shorthorn. 



Considering the price paid for milk on this market, it does not pay to veal calves 

 on an exclusive whole-milk ration. It will be noticed in the chart below that the most 

 expensive lots were those getting over a gallon and a half for the longer period. The 



Agassiz. 



