386 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 July, 1916. 



propoTties, especially phosphoric acid, would have been returned to the 

 soil; bvit such wanton waste is unpardouable. 



The rearing of calves may appear l^o be a very simple matter, but 

 it is only when one has to deal with the animal in its mature form 

 that the folly and neglect of its early treatment becomes apparent. 



Many different methods of feeding and treatment are practised. 

 The system followed by our beef-breeders would spell ruin to the dairy 

 farmer; likewise, the ordinary dairy-fed calf is not the most profitable 

 for the grazier. 



As to what is the best method of rearing our dairy heifers, is a 

 contentious question, as many conflicting systems sometimes appear to 

 succeed. Ever since our dairy cattle were domesticated, the whole aim 

 has been to mould the dairy heifer into the ideal dairy cow. The 

 question arises, "What is an ideal dairy cow?" In the first place, 

 1 would say an animal with the ability to economically consume a large 

 amount of fodder; secondly, soundness of constitution, and early 

 maturity; and lastly, an even-tempered, kindly disposition. These 

 important factors, combined with proper management, form the start 

 for maximum production, which should be the dairyman's ambition. 



The attainment of maximum production can only be achieved by 

 careful feeding, kindly handling, and a general knowledge of the young 

 animal's requirements. It does not seem reasonable to assume that 

 soundness of constitution, robustness, and fair bodily size, can come as 

 the result of underfeeding, although many dairy farmers think they 

 can. This fact is apparent to any one who visits many of our dairy 

 farms — the weakly-constitutioned, stunted cows one sees suffer in the 

 battle for existence, and cannot withstand many years of profitable milk 

 flow\ When the young animal's health is impaired, as the result of 

 scanty and careless feeding, and dirty surroundings, it becomes 

 susceptible to many of the diseases that stock is heir to; its usefulness 

 as a dairy cow is diminished, and its market value reduced. 



Many of our breeders who aim at prizes in the show-ring, often 

 practise a system of scanty feeding to secure fineness of bone. These 

 men are generally martyrs to type, and do not work in the interests 

 of the producing powers of the breed, as by their methods they are 

 retarding the development of their cattle. 



On the other hand, too plenteous feeding of concentrated rations is 

 not advisable; it develops in the young animal the tendency to make 

 flesh and attain coarseness, and animals so fed are often deficient in 

 barrel development, which is so essential in a dairy cow. 



When a bulky ration is fed, the barrel development is much greater, 

 and enables the heifer at maturity to consume a large amount of fodder. 

 Generally, the largest consumers are the most profitable producers. The 

 feeding of bulky foods develops the digestive organs, and enables the 

 animal to assimilate a large amount of food. 



There is a medium between the methods of the beef-raiser and those 

 who practise a starvation policy, and by its adoption, the heifer is kept 

 in a good growing condition until it is proven in calf, when it can be 

 fed a more nutritive ration to build up a reserve in the animal's body 

 to withstand a long milking period, and nourish the unborn calf. The 

 first lactation period is of the utmost importance, and on the treatment 

 given at that time depends, to a great extent, the young animal's useful- 

 ness as a profitable dairy cow. 



