BREEDING BEEF CATTLE 313 



THE BEEF COW 



While all common cows must be bred in order that they 

 may freshen, yet the cows to which we look to replenish the 

 herd should be carefully selected. The heifer calves from the 

 best cows should be retained for breeding. By using a good 

 pure-bred sire and retaining the best heifers to replenish the 

 herd, in a few generations one can have a herd of cows equal 

 to any pure-bred herd for the production of feeding cattle. 



The production-period in cattle. — As in the dairy cow, the 

 most fertile period is two to eight years of age. In exceptional 

 cases this period may be extended both ways (see page 246). 



Season of the year to breed. — While it seems desirable to have 

 dairy calves dropped in the fall, it is equally desirable to have 

 beef calves dropped in the spring. With dairy cattle, a some- 

 what larger flow can be ob- 

 tained when calves come in the 

 fall. With beef cattle the milk 

 flow is not so important. Cows 

 may be wintered more cheaply 

 when not in milk, requiring less 

 room, less careful attention, 

 and less food. Calves dropped 

 in the spring get a good start 

 on pasture. They need be car- 



. , , . , Fig. 98. — Galloway Heifers. True 



ried over but one winter, as to type. Owned by C. S. Hechtner. 



they can be fattened or finished 



the following fall when approximately eighteen months of age, 

 if it is so desired ; or if desired to fatten them during the 

 winter, they can be finished the second winter and put on 

 the market at two years of age. Fall-dropped calves are 

 more trouble to care for during the winter, although the advo- 

 cates of fall-dropped beef calves say that better steers can be 

 produced and developed by fall calving, as the cow in the fall 



