PART VI 



PAPERS ON LIVE STOCK AND AGRICULTURAL 



TOPICS. 



A. BABY BEEF. 



THE BEST METHOD TO PURSUE WHEN RAISING CALVES FOR 



BEEF. 



Hon. 8. B. Packara, MarshalUown, Iov:a. 



The "best method'' is the quickest and most economical method by 

 which the calf can be matured to the highest priced marlvetable product. 

 It follows, of course, that the calf must be pushed through its suckling 

 period and on to the age and w^eight the market demands by a generous 

 supply of appetizing food, such feed as will give the most economical gain 

 in flesh and growth to the cost or value of the feed consumed. To those 

 believing in "baby beef" the proposition will be regarded as axiomatic, 

 so the best method of feeding and handling calves should be discussed. 



It being assumed that the greatest gain in weight can be made with 

 a given amount of feed whie the anima is a growing calf. There are con- 

 ditions involved, such as the convenience of separation of the calf from 

 the cow for the purpose of grain feeding during the suckling period, also 

 the sufficient protection of barns for shelter for late fall and winter 

 calves; and, whether the cream from the milk of the cows is a factor of 

 farm management. Referring to these conditions, it may be said that 

 grain can be fed profitably to calves while suckling; that late fall or win- 

 ter calves can be pushed to greater weight for age with grain rations 

 than the spring calf, and that skim milk calves can be made into good 

 beef at an early age by proper food and care where the farm separator 

 has a place in the management. 



For the suckling calf on grass a ration of corn and oats will do the 

 needful, and for the winter calf before grass a ration of corn, oats and oil 

 meal equal by measure, will answer. The separator calf has not come 



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