94 THE MANAGEJIENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



iiig as soon as reproduction is possible, and think of tJie 

 tlisastrous results that would come to the race. 



Care must be exercised lest the uncastrated males 

 remain too long with the females when both are kept 

 in the same lot or inclosure during calfhood. Concep- 

 tion is possible at an early age, as early, in some in- 

 stances, as six to seven months, and the same is true 

 of generation. Of course conception at so early a period 

 \\'ould be greatly harmful, and should be sedulously 

 guarded against. During periods of heat prior to the 

 suitable age for service, heifers should be separated from 

 the other animals and confined until the period of heat 

 is passed. Particularly is this necessary when steers 

 run in the same inclosure. It is necessary because of 

 the disturbance for the time which comes to other 

 animals in the herd resulting in arrested gains. 



A\'hen young heifers are to be served by large and 

 heavy bulls, difficulty in the service is sometimes ex- 

 perienced by inability on the part of such heifers to sus- 

 tain males so heavy. Particularly is this true of beef 

 cattle. A\'hen the disparity in weight is very great be- 

 tween the animals permanent injury may follow in the 

 case of the smaller animal. To avoid such trouble and 

 hazard it mav be necessar}- to employ a lighter and less 

 mature bull for service, even though it should be neces- 

 sary to go some distance in order to secure the service. 



Food and care suitable for pregnant heifers. — The 

 food best suited to the needs of heifers not yet in milk 

 is not unlike in the character of the nutrients to that 

 called for by cows that are in milk. It should be essen- 

 tially nitrogenous in its general constituents. Since the 

 growth of the frame is yet uncompleted, it is important 

 that it shall be rich in ash. This is not only necessary 

 to complete growth in the frame, but also to give suf- 

 ficient bone and firmness to the same in the young 

 animal. For this reason clover in all its varieties and 

 alfalfa have high adaptation for such feeding, and corn 



