CHAPTER XXII 



RAISING DAIRY CATTLE 



I. The Skim-milk Calf 



The profits of dairying depend largely on carefully rearing the 

 heifer calves from the best cows in the herd. Starting with common 

 cows, in a few years one may easily and economically build up a high- 

 producing herd by using good pure-bred sires and steadily replacing 

 the inferior cows with home-raised heifers of greater productive 

 capacity. On the other hand, the dairyman who replenishes his herd 

 by purchases must pay high prices for cows and heifers, which, tho 

 of good appearance, are too often poor producers. Another important 

 reason for raising the heifers is that under this system it is far easier 

 to keep the herd free from such diseases as tuberculosis and contagious 

 abortion. The prudent dairyman accordingly first sees that, the 

 calves are well-bred and then so feeds and cares for them that they 

 are not stunted, but reach full development. 



Raising calves on skim milk. — The fat of milk is so valuable that 

 but few dairy calves are now raised on whole milk. Scientific trials 

 and practical experience alike show that with proper feeding calves 

 changed to skim milk when but a few weeks old develop into just as 

 good cows as those fed whole milk until weaning time. Due to the 

 removal of most of the fat, skim milk contains a much larger propor- 

 tion of protein than whole milk, and has a nutritive ratio of 1 : 1.5 

 compared with 1 : 4.4 for unskimmed milk. Accordingly, in choosing 

 supplements to feed with skim milk the need is not for additional pro- 

 tein, but for an abundance of energy-giving, easily digested carbohy- 

 drates or fat to replace the fat removed from the whole milk. While 

 various fats and oils may be used to supplement skim milk, the cereal 

 grains, rich in carbohydrates, are cheaper and more satisfactory for 

 calf feeding. 



Starting the calf on whole milk. — The skim-milk calf is usually 

 allowed to get its' milk from the dam for 2 or 3 days, tho many dairy- 

 men claim that if never allowed to draw milk from the mother, it 

 learns more readily to drink from the pail. In any event, the calf 

 should always get the first milk, or colostrum, which is designed by 

 Nature for cleansing the bowels and starting the digestive functions. 



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