BREEDING TROUBLES 157 



work and practical experience indicate that a continued lack of 

 adequate mineral matter may increase breeding troubles. The 

 minerals which are important here are lime and phosphorus. The 

 evidence is not sufficient to say that a lack of these minerals is an 

 important cause of abortion, but we do believe that adequate 

 mineral nutrition should be considered along with the general 

 question of feeding to put the cow in the best possible condition 

 at calving time. (12, 13, 38, 89) 



246. Retained afterbirth.— The afterbirth should normally 

 drop away in a few hours. Cows which abort are likely to retain 

 it. Only an experienced person should attempt its removal, for 

 if not properly removed and at the proper time, sterility is apt to 

 result. Sterility frequently follows retained afterbirth anyway, 

 but proper handling of the afterbirth will decrease the likelihood 

 of its occurrence. (17) 



247. Sterility.— Sterility frequently follows the troubles pre- 

 viously mentioned. A variety of causes may prevent conception 

 or cause the early, unobserved expulsion of the foetus. Where an 

 animal fails to conceive, a veterinarian can sometimes correct the 

 trouble and his services should be enlisted if the cow is of sufficient 

 value; otherwise, get rid of her. Get rid of her anyway if the 

 veterinarian fails to correct the trouble. 



248. Cutting down breeding losses.— In summary, we 

 believe every breeder can decrease his breeding troubles by thor- 

 ough sanitary measures. When an abortion takes place the foetus 

 and afterbirth should be immediately burned. Any cow which has 

 a discharge from the vagina, even if she has calves normally, 

 should be placed in a separate pen until the discharge has ceased. 

 When she is removed from the pen, it should be scrubbed and dis- 

 infected and the bedding burned. No milk from cows which have 

 recently aborted should be fed to calves. One should not buy an 

 animal which has just aborted nor purchase from a herd with a 

 high record of abortions. Finally, we believe that every breeder 

 that can possibly afford it should put his herd in the hands of a 

 competent veterinarian, for we do feel that the cost of the service 

 will be more than repaid in decreased losses. 



