CATTLE 135 



part of the sides and the back of the carcass from the shoulder 

 to the rear end. The long conformation also gives more room 

 for generative organs and for feed. 



Feeding. — Cattle are well adapted to the use of coarse feeds 

 or roughages, but improved cattle are not like natives and 

 must be fed some concentrates or grains if they are to do well. 

 The young animals also, as the calves and yearlings, must 

 have more protein for growth than the older ones. Variety 

 in a ration, palatability of feeds and regularity in feeding must 

 all be given due consideration. 



Breeding. — The principles of breeding discussed previously 

 should be observed in cattle breeding. The length of time 

 a cow carries her calf, or the period of gestation, is about 

 nine and one-third months. The cow comes in heat every 

 three weeks when not in calf, except the first few weeks after 

 calving. 



At calving time a cow should be in good condition but im- 

 mediately before calving her ration should be reduced and she 

 should be brought back to feed gradually after calving. At 

 this time, also, she should be kept warm and comfortable. 



