DAIRY CATTLE 307 



DAIRY CATTLE MANAGEMENT 



Management of the herd bull. — The herd hull must be kept in 

 good physical condition if his usefulness as a sire is to be real- 

 ized. Many people fail to recognize the importance of keeping 

 the bull in good strong healthy condition. The value of a sire 

 in breeding will depend largely on how he is managed. From 

 birth the bull should receive a ration furnishing an abundance 

 of muscle and bone building material so as to insure first class 

 development. Exercise during the growing period is especially 

 important. As the bull reaches maturity, all sudden changes in 

 feeding and management should be avoided. He should be 

 sheltered in roomy, clean, well ventilated quarters, preferably 

 a good-sized box stall connected with the lot so he can go out 

 and in as he wishes. Buildings and fences should be strong and 

 secure to prevent the bull breaking out. 



If the bull is active he may not need any extra exercise but if 

 lie has a tendency to get lazy it may be necessary to give regular 

 exercise in the yoke or tread mill. A mature bull can just as 

 well do considerable regular work and be much better as a 

 breeder for it. Bulls that have become uncertain breeders often 

 hecome prompt sure breeders as a result of regular work. 



In feeding the bull liis needs must be studied. If he works he 

 will need more than if he remains idle. A variety of feeds is 

 far better than the same nutrition foimd in only one or two 

 feeds. Bearing in mind that he must be kept in good strength 

 and vigor, the ration should contain some legume hay if possi- 

 ble. Clover or alfalfa hay is very desirable along with some corn 

 fodder or silage. A good grain mixture is corn meal or hominy 

 three parts, ground oats three parts, wheat bran three parts, 

 h'nseed meal one part, and feed just sufficient to keep the bull in 

 good thrift. Care should be taken to avoid getting the dairy 

 bull too fat or allowing him to get too thin. The health of the 

 bull sliould be carefully guarded. He should not be allowed to 

 serve cows that have aborted, until they have been cleaned up 

 and are free from the disease. If through accident or careless- 

 ness he does serve such a cow he should be thoroughly washed 

 up with a mild disinfectant solution, to prevent him spreading 

 the disease to other cows. He should be tested regularly for 

 tuberculosis and discarded as a sire if found diseased, as it is 

 not reasonable to expect strong vigorous healthy offspring from 

 diseased parents. The secret of success in herd bull management 

 is plenty of exercise, careful handling, and a reasonable amount 

 of good, clean, wholesome feed. 



