BREEDING BEEF CATTLE 165 



attended with an absence of qualities which make for 

 the production of a more profitable feeder's type. 

 Calves and yearlings are frequently purchased as sires 

 because they can usually be purchased for fewer dollars 

 per head or because their period of usefulness is likely 

 to be longer, or, perhaps, it may be because the young 

 bull in full flesh looks better. It is a mistake to discrim- 

 inate against an aged bull that has proved himself a 

 valuable sire. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE BULL 



Breeders differ in their opinion as to whether the 

 bull should be allowed to run with the cows. The 

 writer believes it advisable to keep the bull by himself 

 in a well fenced pasture lot provided with shade and 

 shelter. If it can be made sufficiently large to furnish 

 ample pasture for the bull, so much the better. By 

 keeping the bull confined and breeding the cows as they 

 come in season it is possible to keep a record of when 

 the cows will calve. A bull so handled can also serve a 

 larger number of cows during the year. The number of 

 cows which a bull should cover in a year will depend 

 upon his age, condition, and treatment, together with 

 the distribution of the cows bred to him. The number 

 should vary from thirty to sixty in a year. 



The feed of the herd bull should be nourishing, but 

 not too concentrated or heating. The best of roughage 

 in the way of clover hay or alfalfa and silage or roots 

 should be used. A small percentage of corn with a 

 large percentage of oats and bran constitutes a satis- 

 factory ration. The amount to be fed will vary accord- 

 ing to the age, weight, and condition of the bull as well 

 as the work required of him. He should be kept in 

 good, thrifty condition, and if it is found that it requires 

 an abnormal amount of feed to maintain this condition, 

 in other words, that the bull is a "hard-keeper," he is 

 not well calculated to sire cattle possessing good feeding 

 qualities, and should be replaced. 



