314 MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



is in better condition; they also say that the increased flow 

 of milk caused by turning the cow to pasture in the spring is 

 a good thing for the calf, and that the fall-dropped calf is 

 better able to endure the heat and flies the following summer. 

 After a careful consideration of both practices, the writer 

 thinks it desirable to have the beef calves dropped in spring. 



A very important factor in the breeding of calves for feeding 

 is to breed the cows in such a way that the calves will be as 

 nearly uniform in age as possible. This applies to both fall 

 and spring bred calves that are intended for feeding. Farmers 

 who possess only a few cows have them freshen at intervals 

 throughout the year in order that they may be well supplied 

 with milk the year round. This, of course, makes the calves of 

 unequal age, and they are not so desirable as feeding cattle. 



The pregnant cow. — The pregnant cow should receive some 

 attention, particularly when she is to drop her calf in the 

 spring. Cows are often carried through the winter on a 

 ration of dry forage, such as corn stalks with no grain 

 in addition, with the result that they are in very poor 

 condition at calving time. This often leads to trouble at 

 parturition time, the cow being so weak she cannot bear the 

 calf, which is likely to be very small, thin, and weakly. 

 The cow may not have milk for it at first, or if she does, 

 it will be thin and scant. Such a condition must be avoided 

 if profitable feeding calves are to be propagated. If the 

 pregnant cow may have succulence in the shape of corn 

 silage, with clover, alfalfa, or cowpea hay in addition, no 

 grain need be fed. These feeds should be free from mold. 

 On the other hand, if non-nitrogenous dry forage is to be fed, 

 she should have grain in addition. Corn and wheat bran with 

 a small amount of linseed meal as a conditioner cannot be 

 improved upon. This may be fed at the rate of six pounds 

 daily per 1000 pounds live weight. Shelter from the storms 

 and rain should be provided; for this a common shed open to 



