290 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



left in the milk and by the other process, more than one- 

 half of that amount. This preponderance in its fat con- 

 tent gives skim milk obtained by the gravity process, 

 some superiority for feeding to stock, but it is probably 

 more than offset by the fresh and warm condition in 

 which separator skim milk is usually fed. 



. For calves, skim milk is virtually the standard food 

 during the first months of their existence, when they 

 are not allowed to suck the dams, and it will become so 

 more and more as the conditions of farming intensify. 

 The market value of whole milk is such that under many 

 conditions of feeding, it will not be profitable to feed it 

 to any class of animals on the farm except when of ten- 

 der age. The exceptions are, when range or semi-range 

 conditions prevail, where high class beef producers are 

 grown to provide baby beef (see p. 402), and where 

 young animals of beef types are being prepared for the 

 show ring. It would be approximately correct to say, that 

 during the first three months of the life of a calf, from 

 9 to IO pounds of milk would be required to make 

 one pound of increase. During the first weeks, such in- 

 crease should be made from half the amount named, but 

 the gains which accrue from such feeding, will be much 

 influenced by the individuality of the calves. Notwith- 

 standing the high value relatively of whole milk, even 

 when calves are grown substantially on skim milk, it is 

 greatly advantageous to feed whole milk for a time, be- 

 ginning, of course, with the birth of the young animal 

 as no substitute has been found for whoje milk that so 

 completely meets the needs of young animals. 



The duration of the period for feeding whole milk 

 will depend first, on the use that is to be made of the calf, 

 and second, on its inherent vigor. When the calf is to 

 be sold for veal, the greatest profit will result probably 

 from feeding it all the whole milk that it can profitably 

 take, and selling it at the earliest age at which it will 

 take the market. When it is to be sold between the ages, 



