442 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



In the Ohio experiments the heifers were fed a limited allowance of 

 concentrates during their second year, while in the Wisconsin test they 

 were fed only hay and silage during the winter and grazed on pasture 

 without additional feed in the summer. In the Ohio trials a little skim 

 milk was fed the second year, when there was a surplus. From this table 

 one can readily estimate the feed cost of raising heifers at any time. 

 Under present conditions, this will range from about $50 to $70, depend- 

 ing on local conditions. 



To the feed cost must be added the other expenses including initial 

 value of calf, labor, bedding, shelter, interest and taxes, and tools and 

 other miscellaneous expenses. From the total gross cost should be 

 deducted credit for the manure produced. These expenses for grade 

 heifers have been estimated under pre-war conditions as shown in the 

 following table: 53 



Costs other than feed in raising heifers to 2 years 



Ohio Wisconsin 



Initial value of calf $ 5. 00 $ 7. 00 



Labor 11.50 8.00 



Bedding 4.50 3.00 



Shelter, insurance, and taxes 8 . 68 6 . 03 



Miscellaneous expenses 3 . 00 4 . 34 



$32.68 $28.37 



This table shows that the expenses other than feed in raising dairy 

 heifers to 2 years of age were estimated at $28.37 to $32.68 under 

 pre-war conditions. The credit for manure produced should be at least 

 $8 to $10 on most farms, making the net total cost, including feed, of 

 raising grade dairy heifers about $70 to $90. 



V. THE BULL 



Despite the fact that improvement in the productive capacity of the 

 dairy herd rests as much with the bull as with the cows, the feed and 

 care of the sire at the head of the herd is often neglected. To build up 

 a profitable herd a pure-bred bull which has been bred for dairy pro- 

 duction should be selected; this done, he should be so fed as to keep 

 in the best condition for breeding. 



707. The young bull. The same principles apply to the rearing of the 

 bull calf as to the heifer. The bull should be fed from birth to maturity 

 so as to make normal growth, for, while the offspring of an animal which 

 is thrifty but is undersized on account of insufficient feed will not neces- 

 sarily be smaller than those from a larger sire, such an animal will bring 

 a lower price when it is desired to sell him to another dairyman. From 

 6 months of age, when the bull calves should be separated from the 



53 Hayden, Ohio Bui. 269; Bennett and Cooper, U. S. D. A., Bui. 49. 



