58 



BULLETIISr 1031^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



all off-color stock and the consequent striking uniformity of color 

 and markings. 



It is planned to continue building up these two herds as rapidly 

 as possible from the offspring to a total of approximately 2,000 

 head. The plan will be to replace the poorest individuals in both 

 herds with the offspring from the special herd and the best offspring 

 from the main herd, with minimum interference with the calf crop 

 from the introduction of too many young cows in the breeding herd 

 at any one time. 



INCREASING CALF CROP. 



Where live-stock production is managed primarily on a breeding 

 basis, as recommended for southern New Mexico, the ratio of cows 

 maintained over a period of years to calves produced to selling age 

 is of the first importance. If the average calf crop is 50 per cent or 

 less, as it frequently is in this locality, an increase of 5 calves from 

 every 100 cows may mean a decrease of 10 per cent in the cost of 

 producing the average calf to weaning age. Management require- 

 ments of the stock on southwestern ranges, to avoid drought, warrant 

 such effort as will most economically secure the greatest number of 

 calves possible. 



In connection with a study of live-stock production in the 11 

 Western States during 1914, data relative to calf crop over a period 

 of years were obtained from stockmen for all of the western States, 

 including the Southwest.^^ 



Table 20 shows, by States, the average number of calves for each 

 hundred cows, as well as the number of bulls for each 100 cows, as 

 given b}^ the schedules from stockmen. 



Table 20. — Average number of hulls for each 100 cons and average number of 

 calves from each 100 cows. 



State. 



Bulls. 



Calves, i 



! 



Arizona. 



6 



3.73 



4.16 



4 



3.44 



4 



57 



73.55 



69.3 



75 



75.8 



70 





Colorado. 











State. 



Bulls. 



New Mexico 

 Oregon 



Utah 



Washington 

 Wyoming.. 



5 



4.04 

 4 



3.72 

 5.52 



Calves. 



66 



75. 74 

 69 



79.48 

 73.2 



The average calf crop for southern New Mexico over a period of 

 years does not exceed 50 per cent. 



Table 21 gives the records of calf crop each year in southern 

 New Mexico, estimated in connection with the investigations at the 

 Jornada Range Reserve since 1916, and similar data for the whole 



1* Barnes, Will C, and .Tardine, James T., Livestock Production in the Eleven Far 

 Western Range States, U. S. Dept. Agr., Office of the Secretary, Report No. 110, Part II, 

 191G. 



