COST OF RAISING CALVES 263 



the individual is well grown and has a tendency to lay on 

 fat she should be bred at an earlier age than one not so well 

 grown and showing less tendency to flesh formation. The 

 well developed Jersey should be bred to drop her first calf 

 when she is m)t more than twenty-six months of age, and better 

 twenty-four rather than twenty-eight months, while the heifer 

 of retarded growth should be given two or four months more 

 time in which to reach the size established for the breed, or 

 twenty-six to thirty months. The aim should be to put the 

 young animals off the boarder and onto the working list at as 

 early an age as their physical development will permit without 

 doing permanent harm. If bred too yoxmg the energies of the 

 heifer are diverted to the development of the foetus and later to 

 mihc yielding, with the result of retarding growth, sometimes 

 amounting to actual stunting. 



The development of the dairy bull is not essentially differ- 

 ent from that of the dairy heifer except that a little more grain 

 and a little less of the bulky feeds may be fed. Over-fatness, 

 however, is to be avoided as being, first, an unnecessary and 

 expensive condition, and second, endangering the breeding 

 power of the animal. Hay and skim milk may form the major 

 portion of the ration, with grain fed as a conditioner. A large 

 paunch is not desirable on the breeding sire, however, and may 

 be avoided by feeding less roughage and more grain. 



Pasture Necessary for Young Stock. — Although the tender 

 calf needs the protection of the stable more than the invigorat- 

 ing effects of pasture, the yearling should certainly be forced to 

 live upon pasture. Not only can young stock of this age 

 make good use of cheap range, but if they are to develop hardi- 

 hood, good health and vitality, they should be given ample pas- 

 ture. One disadvantage found in the soiling system of cow feed- 

 ing is that it does not provide means whereby the growing heifer 

 can get the exercise essential to strength at maturity. 



Cost of Raising Calves. — This question has been studied in 

 several states. By Trueman of Connecticut, the cost is fixed at 

 about $66 for a two year old. From records kept for 117 calves 

 in Wisconsin, Bennet and Cooper conclude as follows : 



