168 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



this disease, a young calf should be selected which is free from 

 abortion, even if coming from a herd where the trouble exists. 

 Effect of Age of Dam upon Prepotency of the Bull. The 

 question of whether a bull which is the first calf of a heifer 

 is as likely to transmit dairy qualities to the same degree as a 

 son of the same cow after she is mature and has made large 

 milk records, is one of importance that remains to be settled. 

 It is believed by breeders of race horses that the racing qual- 

 ities are transmitted better by mature and trained racing 

 parents. At any rate, it is not wise to select the first calf of a 

 heifer for a herd bull unless the calf is old enough so the 

 heifer has had opportunity to demonstrate her dairy qualities. 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BULL 



The bull calf designed for breeding purposes should be well 

 fed from birth to maturity. The object in view in making 

 such a recommendation is to allow the animal to develop 

 to its limit. An underfed animal remains undersized, and 

 while his progeny will not necessarily be smaller on account 

 of a characteristic caused in this way, it is impossible to know 

 whether his undersize has been caused by inheritance or under- 

 feeding. For this reason a male breeding animal that is 

 small and undeveloped for his age and breed is always looked 

 upon unfavorably. Every male breeding animal should be 

 handled in such a manner that it is certain he reaches full 

 natural development. 



A bull calf of a dairy breed is usually raised on skim milk, 

 as the results are equally as good or better than those obtained 

 when whole milk is used. A rather liberal grain ration should 

 be fed. While there is no advantage in getting the bull fat 



